DE102010029931A1 - Method for requesting data of vehicle, involves providing data of vehicle by server connected with network by using programming interface, and executing transparent access to data of vehicle over server based on request of data - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves providing data of a vehicle (111) by a server connected with a network by using a programming interface, and executing transparent access to the data of the vehicle over the server based on request of the data. The data of the vehicle stored in a virtual data memory (102) is compared with actual data of the vehicle, where the vehicle is connected with the server over a radio interface. Additional information e.g. traffic information and parking space information, is transmitted to another vehicle based on an actual position of the former vehicle. An independent claim is also included for a device for providing data of a vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for polling data of a vehicle.

It is known to exchange data between a vehicle and a backend (comprising at least one computer or at least one computer network, which in particular has a connection to other computer networks, eg the Internet). In this case, the vehicle may request data from the backend or the backend may (unsolicited) transmit data to the vehicle.

In this case, the data can only be transmitted between the backend and the vehicle. Also, a connection to the vehicle is necessary for the transmission. The data is accessed via various interfaces, the interfaces varying depending on the execution of the application: For example, running in the vehicle, in the backend or on a computer in the office or at home different applications with different interfaces. This makes dealing with the data as cumbersome and hard for the user to get used to.

The object of the invention is to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages and in particular to provide an efficient solution for accessing data of a vehicle.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

To achieve the object, a method for polling data of a vehicle is specified, in which the data of the vehicle are provided by the vehicle or by a server connected to a network and provided separately from the vehicle.

The server can be at least one computer and / or at least one computer network (eg a backend) which can exchange messages with the vehicle via a communication interface (eg a wireless mobile radio interface) and at least temporarily so exchanging data with the vehicle. The data exchange can take place within the scope of a circuit-switched or packet-switched communication. In particular, the data exchange can also be used together with another service, eg. B. a telephone conversation. Thus, it is advantageous that a user or an application for accessing the data of the vehicle does not have to be connected to the vehicle. Also, if necessary, no connection of the server to the vehicle is necessary for this, because data already stored on the server (between) can be provided to the user or the application with sufficient topicality. Thus, the access to this data of the vehicle can be made via the server, even if the vehicle itself should not be reachable.

In particular, the server may have an intermediate memory, here also referred to as a virtual vehicle data memory. In addition, it should be noted that the server (or the backend) can manage a large number of vehicles accordingly.

Preferably, an operator of the server is a service provider or vehicle manufacturer who manages the communication link to the vehicle (or corresponding to several vehicles).

It should be noted that in the manner described here, the data of the vehicle from an application that runs independently of the vehicle, can be queried. Accordingly, it is also possible to change the data of the vehicle (or parts of the data) via the application, delete or supplement new data. This can be done via the interfaces described here.

A development is that, based on the query, a transparent access to the data of the vehicle is carried out either via the vehicle itself or via the server.

In this case, transparent means, in particular, that a service is provided, for example, a response to a query of a user or an application regarding data of a vehicle is provided, without the requesting entity (user or application) having to worry about who provides the answer, that is whether in fact the transmitted response on the server contains cached data or data currently transmitted by the vehicle. In this respect, it is advantageous that the user or the application the impression can arise as if the vehicle was permanently available (online), without this actually being the case. As explained, the query can be answered with data cached on the server.

Another development is that the data stored on the server data of the vehicle are synchronized with the current data of the vehicle.

Synchronization may be triggered automatically, regularly, irregularly or based on predetermined events (on the side of the vehicle and / or the server).

In particular, it is a development that the data of the vehicle are provided by means of a common programming interface for different platforms.

Thus, a web-based application z. B. implemented on a server of the Internet, which uses such a programming interface (API) to access the data of the vehicle. An application can also be provided on a mobile terminal which can access the data of the vehicle via an API. Furthermore, it is possible for a user to access the data of the vehicle from his office or at home by means of an application using an API.

It is also a development that the vehicle is at least temporarily connected via a radio interface with the server.

For example, the radio interface may be a mobile radio interface or a WLAN interface.

Furthermore, it is a further development that the data has information, in particular an up-to-date information, a time stamp or position information.

This allows the application to determine the timeliness of the data or to decide whether the data obtained is sufficiently up-to-date. If this is not the case, that is, if for the purposes of the application, outdated data has been provided, the application can update current data, for. At the server or directly at the vehicle. It is also possible that the application already indicates with the query what kind of timeliness of the data is required (eg "not older than 2 days").

In particular, it is possible for the server itself to ensure a given timeliness of the data (whereby different data can be regarded as current for different lengths of time) by automatically stating obsolete data (eg at the next opportunity or at a given time or events performed synchronization with the vehicle) are updated. This increases the likelihood that a query to the server regarding certain data of the vehicle can be answered without requiring a (re) connection to the vehicle would have to be established (either from the requesting application or from the server itself) and without the vehicle would have to be reachable (eg a parked in an underground car park is usually not accessible via a mobile network).

As part of an additional. Further, depending on a given event, a communication link is established from the server to the vehicle or from a requesting application to the vehicle.

For example, a synchronization of the data of the vehicle with the data stored on the server can be done regularly. Also, synchronization can be started manually or after a hardware update of the server.

The synchronization can be done in sections, z. B. when the vehicle is accessible via a mobile network. Also, the synchronization can be done with high or low priority. Furthermore, it is possible that the synchronization is carried out in particular when a broadband connection with the vehicle exists, for. B. the vehicle is connected via Wi-Fi or 3GPP LTE.

A next development is that the query is transmitted to the server by the application and the application tries to contact the vehicle if the server does not have the requested data.

It is also a development that the application transmits the query to a middleware, wherein the middleware as the central or decentralized function of a network provides the data of the vehicle.

The middleware may partially utilize or be partially implemented on the service provided by the server. In particular, therefore, transparent access to the data of the vehicle can be efficiently carried out using the middleware.

Furthermore, the applications can subscribe to a service at the middleware, wherein the service actively transmits data of the vehicle to the applications, for example, if the data changes or if other events or conditions are met.

It is also a development that, depending on a given event, a communication link is established from the vehicle to the server.

In particular, events (eg, stopping or starting, reaching a given position or state of a controller) of the vehicle may trigger transmission of data to the server.

• – Eigenschaften des Fahrzeugs,
• – Einstellungen des Fahrzeugs,
• – Informationen von Steuergeräten des Fahrzeugs.

An embodiment is that the data of the vehicle include:

• - characteristics of the vehicle,
• - vehicle settings,
• - Information from control units of the vehicle.

• – wobei die Vorrichtung separat zu dem Fahrzeug ausgeführt ist,
• – umfassend eine Verarbeitungseinheit und einen Speicher,
• – wobei die Verarbeitungseinheit derart eingerichtet ist, dass die Daten des Fahrzeugs von dem Fahrzeug oder aus dem Speicher bereitgestellt werden.

The above object is also achieved by means of a device for providing data of a vehicle

• - wherein the device is designed separately from the vehicle,
• Comprising a processing unit and a memory,
• - wherein the processing unit is arranged such that the data of the vehicle from the vehicle or from the memory are provided.

In particular, the device may be part of a wired and / or wireless communication network. Also, the device may have a connection to the Internet. Furthermore, the device may have a possibility for contacting the vehicle (eg via a mobile radio interface).

Accordingly, the device can provide the above-mentioned service "providing data of the vehicle" transparently without the requesting authority knowing whether the data originates (only) from the memory of the device or (directly) from the vehicle.

One embodiment is that the data can be synchronized between the vehicle and the memory on the basis of the processing unit.

A next embodiment is that the device is a server of a service provider or vehicle manufacturer.

In particular, the server may comprise a plurality of computers or may be provided a computer network or a plurality of communication networks.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated and explained below with reference to the drawing.

It shows:

1 schematically an architecture for retrieving information from a virtual car data storage, whereby a seamless access to data of the vehicle is made possible.

• – für das Fahrzeug selbst,
• – für einen (Personal-)Computer im Büro oder zuhause,
• – für ein mobiles Endgerät des Benutzers,
• – für eine über das Internet nutzbare (Web-)Applikation.

A framework for transparent access to vehicle properties and vehicle settings is proposed. In particular, this framework includes a unified interface for various platforms, e.g. B.

• - for the vehicle itself,
• - for a (personal) computer in the office or at home,
• For a user's mobile terminal,
• - for a web-based application (web).

Furthermore, an (intermediate) memory ("virtual car data storage") proposed, the z. B. is provided in a backend to service queries of applications, if z. B. just no communication channel to the vehicle exists. Alternatively or additionally, the (intermediate) memory can also be executed distributed, z. B. at least partially on devices other than the devices of the backend, z. A home network and / or a personal computer.

It should be noted that the backend comprises at least one computer, in particular a multiplicity of computers, of a vehicle manufacturer or service provider, wherein at least at times a communication connection to the vehicle exists or can be established via the backend.

In this case, it is advantageous that the communication with the backend is transparent, ie that it is not possible to detect whether the query is answered directly by the vehicle or by the virtual vehicle data memory.

1 schematically shows an architecture for retrieving information from a virtual car data storage 102 , This allows seamless access to vehicle data without the need for a permanent communication link between the backend and the vehicle.

An SCMA (seamless car and data management) framework is proposed, whereby here Framework designates a functional framework or a reference system for seamless vehicle and data management.

A component SCMA car 110 is as part of a vehicle 111 provided and allows access to vehicle-related data (properties, settings, service information, etc.), for example, in at least one control unit 112 of the vehicle 111 Are available. In particular, the vehicle can 111 several control units 112 have, for example, a central control unit (also referred to as head unit) may be provided in the vehicle. For example, the central control unit may include infotainment functions.

Also, the component SCMA car 110 be set up so that there are communication structures of the vehicle 111 , z. B. Bus systems (CAN, MOST, Ethernet, etc.) uses to data from the control unit 112 to read or write on this.

1 also shows the virtual car data storage 102 that's part of a backend 101 is executed. In the virtual car data storage 102 in particular, it is a cache (also referred to as "cache") for data of the vehicle 111 , Preferably, this data of the vehicle 111 automatically with the virtual car data storage 102 be synchronized. So can a communication link with the vehicle 111 or it can be an existing communication link with the vehicle 111 be used to synchronize the data.

Communication with the component SCMA car 110 This is done via an SCMA API (Application Programming Interface), which provides a universal and easy-to-use interface for accessing data from the vehicle 111 access.

This is what a web-based application can do 106 z. B. on a server of the Internet 103 be implemented using an SCMA API 105 uses to get to the data of the vehicle 111 access. Also, an application 108 on a mobile device 109 be provided via an SCMA API 107 on the data of the vehicle 111 can access. Furthermore, it is possible for a user from his office or from home 115 by means of an application 114 that have an SCMA API 113 uses, on the data of the vehicle 111 accesses.

In addition, it should be noted that there may be various implementations of a programming interface. For example, a web-based implementation of applications of the Internet may be used, or there may be an implementation in Java, C, C ++, C #, or the like, e.g. B. is used by a desktop application.

The component SCMA car 110 provides a service corresponding to a (transparent) access layer to access the data of the vehicle 111 For example, in a wiring system or in the control units 112 of the vehicle 111 available or stored.

In particular, from the component SCMA KFZ 110 Data of the vehicle 111 in the virtual car data storage 102 cached and / or aligned with this.

The virtual data store may include, in addition to the data from the vehicle (eg, data whose source is the vehicle itself), data from other sources transmitted to the vehicle (eg, traffic, congestion, parking lot information ). This additional information can then targeted, z. B. based on a current position of the vehicle to be transmitted to other vehicles (geo-tagging of the vehicle).

Different types or categories of data may have different events based on e.g. B. on state changes of the vehicle 111 (For example, the vehicle is parked), which synchronizes with the virtual car data storage 102 trigger. Also can be a comparison with the virtual car data storage 102 be triggered if at least one cached value has been changed while the vehicle was parked (off).

Insofar it is achieved that the virtual car data storage 102 is synchronized at least partially or with respect to certain data of the vehicle depending on certain events or state transitions of the vehicle. In particular, the availability and quality of an existing radio link can initiate such synchronization. If the connection is poor, only parts of the data (according to a given prioritization) can be synchronized.

Thus, the synchronization can in particular be done (eg proactively) independently of a query concerning the data of the vehicle.

It should be noted that the virtual, car data storage 102 can also be selectively updated by z. B. more or less regularly automatically or manually or due to an event of the backend 101 (eg, after configuration or replacement of components) synchronization with the data of the vehicle 111 is started.

Depending on the availability of a communication channel to the vehicle 111 becomes a query of an application concerning the data of the vehicle 111 either directly from the component SCMA car 110 of the vehicle 111 or from the virtual car data storage 102 answered. The answer to the query of the application (or the user) is preferably transparent, so without the application would have to recognize who (vehicle or backend) provides the data to answer the query.

Preferably, the data of the vehicle 111 a time information (eg a time stamp), on the basis of which a timeliness of Data can be determined. An application 106 . 108 or 114 can respond to the time information accordingly by z. B. indicates that more up-to-date data is needed. In addition, it should be noted that instead of or in addition to the time or actuality information different information (also referred to as tags) can be linked to the data and / or provided, for. Eg position information (geo-tagging).

In this respect, it is also possible for a communication request to be made with the vehicle in response to a request from an application 111 is used or manufactured to store the data in the virtual car data memory 102 to update and provide the requested updated data to the application.

The use of a uniform SCMA API allows a universal deployment of applications for different target platforms, eg. As web-based applications on the Internet, applications for a computer at home or in the office, applications for (various) mobile devices or services directly in the vehicle. Thus, it is even possible that the application (or at least the application logic) is independent of the actual installation location.

The respective application 106 . 108 . 114 thus becomes a transparent access 116 on the data of the vehicle 111 allows, this data is actually from the virtual car data storage 102 or from the car (possibly then via the backend 101 ) can be provided.

It is possible that a query of the application 106 . 108 . 114 first at the backend and the backend tries to answer this query by means of the in the virtual car data memory 102 stored data. Are the requested data not in the virtual car data storage 102 available or are in the virtual car data storage 102 available data older than required by the application, the backend tries 101 the vehicle 111 to contact and the (updated) data from the vehicle 111 to obtain. Is the communication of the backend 101 with the vehicle 111 successful, so the (updated) data from the backend of the application 106 . 108 . 114 provided. Is the communication of the backend 101 with the vehicle 111 not successful (because, for example, the vehicle 111 is not available or the data is not available), then a corresponding feedback to the application 106 . 108 . 114 respectively. Optionally, a timer can be set by the backend, after which the query to the vehicle again 111 is sent.

Alternatively, it is possible that the application 106 . 108 . 114 the query directly to the vehicle 111 sends. If the vehicle 111 is not achievable, the application can 106 . 108 . 114 send the query to the backend.

Also it is possible that the transparent access 116 is done by means of a middleware that transparently the service of providing data of the vehicle 111 offering. For this purpose, the middleware can be implemented as a central unit in a network to which the application 106 . 108 . 114 sends the query. The middleware may have a reachability state of the vehicle 111 Manage and accordingly a query to the vehicle or a query to the backend and thus the virtual car data storage 102 start. Also, the middleware can at least partially in the application 106 . 108 . 114 be realized.

Furthermore, there is a possibility that the function of transparent access 116 decentralized, eg by B. applications states of the vehicle 111 Subscribe and state changes of the states are transmitted to the applications. The state changes can preferably be transmitted to the applications via a middleware or via the backend.

Application examples:

• a) A user can access data of the vehicle from different terminals via different platforms (eg, computer at home, mobile terminal) via wired or wireless interfaces. B. service-relevant vehicle data, mileage, oil level, condition of the brake pads, etc., query and, if necessary, initiate appropriate measures, such. B. arrange a service appointment. This data can be from the virtual car data storage z. B. be provided even if the vehicle is off or unavailable.
• b) For example, as part of a fleet management vehicle data, for. As a current position of the vehicle, via a web application or via a mobile device (eg., A mobile phone) are queried. Certain settings (eg regarding a driver's workplace comprising, for example, individual settings for the driver such as seat position, radio transmitter, air conditioning, cockpit settings, etc.) can also be set or recorded remotely.
• c) Applications can be offered and distributed via a suitable electronic platform (eg the Internet). Such applications use the SCMA API to access vehicle information. This enables testing and debugging of applications at the time of development (eg, in conjunction with a simulated virtual car data storage). Users can also test applications on their computer before installation in the vehicle.

Claims (14)

Method for retrieving data of a vehicle, In which the data of the vehicle is provided by the vehicle or by a server connected to a network and provided separately to the vehicle. The method of claim 1, wherein based on the query, a transparent access to the data of the vehicle is carried out either via the vehicle itself or via the server. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the data stored on the server of the vehicle are synchronized with the current data of the vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the data of the vehicle are provided by means of a uniform programming interface for different platforms. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle is at least temporarily connected via a radio interface with the server. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the data comprise information, in particular an up-to-date information, a time stamp or position information. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which, depending on a predetermined event, a communication link is established from the server to the vehicle or from a requesting application to the vehicle. Method according to Claim 7, in which the application sends the query to the server and the application attempts to contact the vehicle if the server does not have the requested data. Method according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the application transmits the query to a middleware, wherein the middleware as the central or decentralized function of a network provides the data of the vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein depending on a predetermined event, a communication link is established from the vehicle to the server. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the data of the vehicle comprise: - characteristics of the vehicle, - vehicle settings, - Information from control units of the vehicle. Device for providing data of a vehicle - wherein the device is designed separately from the vehicle, Comprising a processing unit and a memory, - wherein the processing unit is arranged such that the data of the vehicle from the vehicle or from the memory are provided. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein on the basis of the processing unit, the data between the vehicle and the memory are synchronized. Device according to one of claims 12 or 13, in which the device is a server of a service provider or vehicle manufacturer.

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