DE102010030224A1 - Method for transferring e.g. audio data between computer and vehicle, involves executing job by control unit based on priority when requirement of job is met, and performing data transfer between remote unit and vehicle based on job - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves starting a job comprising a requirement e.g. vehicle state, based on a trigger (103) e.g. state change of a vehicle (101). The job is executed by a control unit (105) of the vehicle based on priority when the requirement of the job is met. Data transfer between a remote unit (102) e.g. home network (109), and the vehicle is performed based on the job. The remote unit is connected with the vehicle via interfaces e.g. Bluetoothinterfaces and Wireless local area network (WLAN)interfaces. An independent claim is also included for a device for transferring data between a communication unit and a vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for data transmission between a communication unit and a vehicle. Furthermore, a vehicle is proposed with such a device.

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. A data exchange takes place under the control of a corresponding application. If there is no communication connection between the vehicle and the backend, there is no data exchange, the application terminates the communication attempt with an error. The user must restart the application at a later time. Such a procedure is cumbersome and error-prone. Furthermore, this approach is hardly suitable for larger amounts of data, eg. As a multimedia library to synchronize with the vehicle.

The object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages mentioned above and in particular to provide an efficient solution for data exchange with 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.

• – bei dem abhängig von einem Auslöser ein Job gestartet wird, wobei der Job mindestens eine Anforderung umfasst;
• – bei dem eine Steuereinheit des Fahrzeugs den Job ausführt, wenn die mindestens eine Anforderung des Jobs erfüllt ist,
• – bei dem anhand des Jobs die Datenübertragung zwischen der Kommunikationseinheit und dem Fahrzeug durchgeführt wird.

To achieve the object, a method for data transmission between a communication unit and a vehicle is specified,

• In which, depending on a trigger, a job is started, the job comprising at least one request;
• In which a control unit of the vehicle executes the job when the at least one request of the job is fulfilled,
• - In the job based on the data transfer between the communication unit and the vehicle is performed.

The trigger may be an event detected by the vehicle or by the communication unit or by another component.

In this case, it is advantageous that the transmission of the data can be decoupled from an execution time of an application which has commissioned such a data transmission. Thus, the proposed solution for the application transparently provides the service of data transmission. The application determines the job that will be executed (automatically) if the at least one request for this job is fulfilled.

For example, a synchronization of multimedia data can always take place when a connection to a home network can be established via a WLAN. This requirement is met when the vehicle is sufficiently close to a domestic WLAN base station. The synchronization is then (at least partially) carried out. The user or the application need not worry about the details of the connection setup, the proximity of the WLAN base station or the timeliness of the data.

• – es ist ein WLAN vorhanden und das Fahrzeug befindet sich in der Nähe des eigenen Hauses;
• – es ist ein WLAN vorhanden und das Fahrzeug befindet sich in der Nähe des Büros.

Requirements can be linked logically (Boolean algebra). The job is z. B. executed when the total expression of multiple logically linked requests or conditions is met. For example, a request for "Wi-Fi and at home or at work" might mean that the job runs in the following cases:

• - Wi-Fi is available and the vehicle is close to the house;
• - Wi-Fi is available and the vehicle is located near the office.

It should be noted that the job may be an action. The job is z. B. defined by an application and / or instanziiert.

The job can be used to transfer, exchange and / or synchronize data. The job preferably indicates which data is to be transmitted, exchanged and / or synchronized. For example, the job may contain both a type of data to be exchanged and access information, e.g. As a source (server, library, etc.) and / or user or credentials include.

The application can run on a device that is different from the communication unit. For example, the job can be created or defined for synchronization by a mobile terminal. This job is stored in the vehicle and executed by the control unit of the vehicle, wherein the data transmission between the vehicle and the communication unit, for. As a backend or any device is performed.

The communication unit may be any remote unit that is separate from the vehicle and that may have a direct or indirect (wireless or wired) communication link with it.

• – ein Gerät;
• – ein mobiles Gerät;
• – ein Mobiltelefon;
• – ein portables Gerät mit einer Funkschnittstelle;
• – ein Rechner;
• – ein Rechnernetzwerk;
• – ein Backend eines Fahrzeugherstellers oder eines Dienstanbieters.

A further development is that the communication unit is one of the following components:

• - a machine;
• - a mobile device;
• - a mobile phone;
• A portable device with a radio interface;
• - a calculator;
• A computer network;
• A backend of a vehicle manufacturer or a service provider.

• – eine Mobilfunkschnittselle;
• – eine Bluetooth-Schnittstelle;
• – eine WLAN-Schnittstelle;
• – eine Funkschnittstelle;
• – eine drahtgebundene Schnittstelle.

Another development is that the communication unit can be connected to the vehicle via at least one of the following interfaces:

• - a mobile interface;
• - a Bluetooth interface;
• A WLAN interface;
• A radio interface;
• - a wired interface.

In particular, it is a further development that the at least one request takes into account a vehicle state and / or a connection state.

Thus, the request may include a condition based on the vehicle state or the connection state. If the requirement is met, so the condition occurs, the job can be executed by the control unit. It should be noted that several conditions may be logically linked together to form a request. Also, multiple requests for a job may be defined.

The vehicle condition may include a condition of the vehicle or a component or environment of the vehicle, e.g. A temperature, an energy consumption, a position (eg, in the form of GPS coordinates), a switching state (on / off) of an actuator of the vehicle, etc.

The connection state may relate to a communication connection and / or interface of the vehicle with the communication unit or with another communication unit. In this regard, parameters of the communication link, e.g. As a bandwidth, encryption, availability, a type of communication link, costs for data transmission, etc. are taken into account.

The communication connection can be wireless (eg via a radio interface) or wired. Possible radio interfaces are z. For example: a mobile radio interface, a Bluetooth interface, a near field communication interface (NFC), a WLAN interface.

It is also a development that the job has a priority, so that the job is executed by the control unit, taking into account the priority.

In particular, the control unit may determine an order of the jobs to be executed based on the priority. For example, priority may be given to more important (higher priority) data in the case of limited or adverse communication conditions.

• – abhängig von einem Auslöser eine Instanz des Jobs generiert wird,
• – die Instanz des Jobs Informationen zum Datenaustausch und die mindestens eine Anforderung aufweist.

Furthermore, it is a training that

• - depending on a trigger, an instance of the job is generated,
• - The instance of the job has information about the data exchange and the at least one request.

Thus, the generated job is advantageous regardless of the application. In other words, the desire for data transmission (eg, synchronization of multimedia data) is transferred into the care of the vehicle. There, a job has been generated and it is monitored, regardless of the application, whether the request (s) of the job is / are fulfilled. In this case, the data transmission is initiated by the control unit.

It should be noted that the job can have a specified term or an unlimited term (validity). For example, a synchronization with the multimedia data can be performed every day (for example, if the previous synchronization has already been completed). Accordingly, other time intervals or repetition intervals are possible. Also, the job can only be executed once (completely).

In particular, it should be noted that a part of the job can be fulfilled if the at least one request (or condition) is met. For example, synchronization with the multimedia may be performed whenever there is a broadband connection (eg, a WLAN connection). Can the vehicle z. B. build at several different locations such broadband connections, the synchronization is started or continued until the connection is interrupted or the synchronization is completed. If the synchronization has not finished, this can be done with the next successful one Establishment of a broadband connection.

In particular, it is possible that the connection is interrupted if the at least one request is no longer fulfilled (or a condition of several necessary conditions of the request is no longer met). The data transmission can be continued at a later time, as soon as the at least one request is felt again.

In addition, it should be noted that according to a synchronization between a mobile terminal of the user and the vehicle can be done. As long as the mobile device is available and has a communication connection, synchronization takes place. If the user leaves the vehicle, the connection is disconnected and the synchronization is interrupted. If the user returns to the vehicle, synchronization can continue. In addition, it should be noted that, for example, a complete synchronization can only be done once a day. Other time intervals are possible accordingly.

Furthermore, it is possible that the data transmission between the vehicle and the communication unit can be unidirectional or bidirectional. In particular, data from the vehicle may be synchronized with the communication unit and / or data from the communication unit may be synchronized with the vehicle.

In the context of an additional development, the trigger is provided by the vehicle.

For example, the vehicle, for. B. via a vehicle interface, provide the trigger. The trigger starts or instantiates the job.

In particular, it is possible that a component of the vehicle monitors the state of an external sensor or an external database and thus possibly triggers the data transmission.

• – eine Zustandsänderung des Fahrzeugs;
• – eine Zustandsänderung einer Komponente des Fahrzeugs;
• - ein Erreichen einer Position;
• – ein Erreichen oder Überschreiten eines vorgegebenen Schwellwerts;
• – ein Erreichen oder Überschreiten einer vorgegebenen Zeitdauer.

A next development is that the trigger comprises at least one of the following events:

• A change of state of the vehicle;
• A change of state of a component of the vehicle;
• - reaching a position;
• - reaching or exceeding a predetermined threshold value;
• - reaching or exceeding a predetermined period of time.

For example, parking the vehicle as a change of state may correspond to such a trigger.

One embodiment is that the trigger is provided by the communication unit or by a remote unit.

It should be noted that a change of state or a message from the communication unit or from the remote unit can cause the job to start.

In particular, it should be noted that the remote unit as a separate unit can start a job that causes a data transfer between the vehicle and the communication unit. For example, a user may be recognized by his or her mobile terminal (the vehicle and the mobile terminal establish a communication connection via a Bluetooth interface), then the Synchronize Music Library job is started for that user, with that user's music library only via his home network can be synchonizable. The job thus includes, as a request for this job, the connection to the home network of the recognized user; the home network can z. For example, when parking the vehicle, or by specifying a GPS position, the home network can be searched for when the vehicle is near this GPS position (eg, closer than 500 m). Thus, synchronization takes place via a computer (preset via its address and the associated access data stored in the job) of the home network, whereas the trigger originates from the mobile terminal.

An alternative embodiment is that the job is cached if it is not executable.

For example, the job can be cached in a queue. If a job of the same type is created at a later time, even though the previous one could not be executed (or has not been completed yet), the older (queued) job can be replaced by the newer job. Optionally, the new job can be discarded or placed in the queue after the older job.

Preferably, the job may have an attribute ("time-to-live", TTL) that indicates how long the job is valid.

The above object is also achieved by means of a device comprising a Processing unit, which is set up such that the method described here is feasible.

• – mit einer Anfrageeinheit, die abhängig von einem Auslöser einen Job startet, wobei der Job mindestens eine Anforderung umfasst,
• – mit einer Steuereinheit, die den Job ausführt, wenn die mindestens eine Anforderung des Jobs erfüllt ist,
• – wobei anhand des Jobs die Datenübertragung zwischen der Kommunikationseinheit und dem Fahrzeug durchführbar ist.

In particular, the above-mentioned object is achieved by means of a device for data transmission between a communication unit and a vehicle

• With a request unit that starts a job depending on a trigger, the job comprising at least one request,
• With a control unit that executes the job when the at least one request of the job is fulfilled,
• - Based on the job data transfer between the communication unit and the vehicle is feasible.

As already stated, the data transmission may be part of a synchronization of data stored in the vehicle and in the communication unit. The data to be synchronized may be multimedia data, e.g. As audio and / or video data act.

One embodiment is that the trigger can be provided via a vehicle interface.

It is also an embodiment that the trigger can be provided by the communication unit or by a remote unit.

A further development consists in that the device comprises a manager for monitoring states of the vehicle and / or a communication connection, wherein the manager informs the control unit about state changes.

Such a status change can be evaluated by the control unit and, if necessary (if, for example, all requirements for a job with the status change are fulfilled), the relevant job can be executed by the control unit. So z. B. a data exchange of the vehicle with the communication unit to be performed.

The above object is also achieved by a vehicle comprising a device as described herein.

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

It shows:

1 schematically a block diagram with different functional units to illustrate a data exchange between a vehicle and a separately provided (communication) unit ("remote unit").

An infrastructure is proposed for exchanging data between a vehicle and a remote unit, e.g. B. an external device or a device that is executed separately from the vehicle. The remote unit can be a computer that has a communication interface, eg. B. has a radio interface with the vehicle. For example, the computer may be part of a computer network (eg an internet). The computer or the computer network may be a backend of a vehicle manufacturer or a service provider. The backend can z. B. be connected to the Internet and / or via a mobile radio interface with the vehicle. It is also possible that a user by means of his computer or mobile device (eg., Smartphone) via an interface of the Internet, z. B. further via the back end of the vehicle manufacturer, is connected to the vehicle.

This shows by way of example that there are a multitude of possibilities for the named remote unit, as well as that there are a multitude of possibilities for a communication connection (eg via a radio interface or via a wired interface) between the remote unit and the Vehicle.

The proposed infrastructure allows a decoupling of a data flow from an execution time of the application, the z. B. causes a synchronization.

The data exchange may comprise a data synchronization or (data) synchronization and be controlled, for example, by a component (eg a control unit, eg a software provided centrally or distributed in the vehicle). In particular, a vehicle state, an energy status and / or a state (or parameters) of a communication interface (or a communication channel) can be taken into account for the data exchange.

The vehicle condition can z. B. include a status of a component of the vehicle (temperature, energy consumption, switching state (on / off), etc.). The state of the communication interface can, for. B. a connection state of a communication channel, z. As a wireless communication (WLAN, mobile, etc.), z. An available bandwidth or encryption.

For example, data (eg from an application) can be accessed directly from the vehicle. In this respect, it is not necessary for the external device to require the data from a backend.

1 schematically shows a block diagram with different functional units to illustrate a data exchange between a vehicle 101 and a separate unit ("remote unit") 102 ,

The remote unit 102 can z. A home network 109 include, for. B. over the Internet with a server 110 connected to the vehicle manufacturer or service provider. Also, the home network can 109 directly via a radio interface, z. B. a wireless connection with the vehicle 101 connected (if the vehicle is near the WLAN base station).

The server 110 can have at least one computer or a computer network, the z. B. via a cellular connection to the vehicle 101 can communicate. In particular, the server can 110 also referred to as the backend (of the vehicle manufacturer or service provider).

Furthermore, the remote unit 102 an IP based device 111 Include that with the vehicle 101 z. Via a direct or one of the server 110 provided connection can communicate.

By means of a job data can be exchanged and / or synchronized. The job indicates which data should be exchanged and / or synchronized. For example, the job may contain both a type of data to be exchanged and access information, e.g. As a source (server, library, etc.) and / or user or credentials include.

A job can, for. B. be a task for synchronizing a music library. This task can be transferred from a computer at home to the vehicle. Also, by means of a job, synchronization of navigation routes with an online service can be started.

Optionally, a job may have a priority. It is thus possible that priority is given to more important data in the case of limited communication possibilities or adverse communication conditions. A prioritization can z. B. be specified by an application and / or a user. In particular, a lower priority job being executed may be interrupted if a higher priority job becomes executable (preemption).

It also determines requirements that must be met for a job to run.

For example, reconciliation of a music or multimedia library requires high bandwidth compared to reconciliation of personal information manager (PIM) data, in which case encrypted communication may be desired. This shows by way of example that different requirements can exist for different jobs.

The state of the vehicle and / or the state of the communication channel may change constantly. As a result, completing a request and thus the ability to run a job can change.

Furthermore are triggers 103 provided comprehensively z. For example, events or (fulfilled) conditions that cause the creation of a job. For example, the trigger 103 from a vehicle interface 107 be provided, that is, for example based on a state of the vehicle or a state of the communication channel. Also it is possible that a trigger 103 from the remote unit 102 is provided, so based on an event away from the vehicle or independently of the vehicle.

1 also shows a request unit 104 , a control unit 105 (also called "Scheduler") as well as a manager 106 (also referred to as Request Manager).

The request unit 104 knows the jobs defined by or for the applications. The request unit 104 recognizes the triggers 103 for the different jobs.

Receives the request unit 104 a trigger 103 , the request unit can create or create a new instance for the affected job. The job includes the required information for data exchange and their requirements z. B. concerning the vehicle condition and / or the state of the communication channel.

This is the one of the request unit 104 generated job regardless of the application. The generated job is sent to the control unit 105 to hand over.

The control unit 105 Checks if the requirements for the job are fulfilled and, if these requirements are met, will execute the job, taking into account any given priorities.

If a job can not be executed immediately, it will be queued. If a job of the same type is created at a later time, although the previous one could not yet be executed, the older one (in Queue cached) job will be replaced by the newer job.

Jobs that B. after a predetermined period of time ("timeout") could not be successfully executed, can be stored again in the queue or deleted. The requirements for a job become with the manager 106 registered.

The manager 106 For example, it monitors the vehicle and / or communication status and notifies the control unit 105 about a status change. This status change can be made by the control unit 105 and, if necessary (if, for example, all the requirements for a job with the status change are fulfilled), the relevant job can be processed by the control unit 105 be executed. So z. B. a data exchange 108 of the vehicle 101 with the remote unit 102 be performed.

Other applications:

• a) Synchronization of multimedia data, eg. B. a music library: This is by means of an application, a music library (or a part thereof) between the vehicle 101 and the remote unit 102 be matched. For this purpose, the application defines a job comprising an address of a data source of the music library, a destination address and a synchronization algorithm. For the synchronization of the music library, an exchange of large amounts of data may be necessary, preferably a communication link between the vehicle 101 and the remote unit 102 is to be used, which provides a correspondingly high bandwidth. For example, it may be a requirement that a direct communication connection to the home network 109 must exist. As soon as the vehicle 101 within reach of the home network 109 located, informs the manager 106 the control unit 105 corresponding. The control unit 105 carries out the job, it finds a data exchange 108 between the vehicle 101 and the home network 109 instead of.
• b) Provision of Vehicle Data for Offline Use: For example, an application may be provided, the vehicle data (eg, a parking position, a mileage, a fuel level, service information, etc.) on a server 110 may be requested at a later date via the Internet (without direct connection to the vehicle). For this purpose, a job is defined that transfers the vehicle data to the server 110 transfers. The server 110 For example, it may be one or more computers (eg, a computer network) operated by a vehicle manufacturer or a service provider. Such a computer (verbund) can also be called a backend. As a trigger 103 serves z. B. turning off or off the vehicle 101 , The vehicle interface 107 sets the trigger 103 the request unit 104 ready. In the present example, no requirement is defined as to the bandwidth of the communication link between the vehicle and the server, as it may be e.g. B. is the transmission of only small amounts of data. However, a secure connection for the transmission of vehicle data should be used to prevent misuse. Once the vehicle is turned off (and off), the new job is started and via a secure communication link with the server of the vehicle manufacturer 110 executed.
• c) Accordingly, other applications are possible, for. For example: a synchronization of PIM data, an update or provision of message data (eg news feeds), a comparison of navigation routes or a software update.

Other advantages:

The data exchange can take place from the vehicle in the direction of the remote unit and / or conversely from the remote unit in the direction of the vehicle.

In this case, it is advantageous that the data exchange is independent of the execution of the application. Accordingly, the application can be started and the approach presented here ensures that the data synchronization is performed on occasion (eg according to a prioritization). This relieves z. For example, the user who no longer has to worry about the data synchronization z. B. of multimedia data should always be started when it reaches the coverage area of the domestic wireless base station.

In the communication between the vehicle and the remote unit, a state of the communication connection (bandwidth, quality, cost, type of connection (WLAN, mobile), etc.) are taken into account. It is also possible that different types of communication links (possibly prioritized) are used. For example, a communication connection can be realized by means of a WLAN connection or a mobile radio connection or another wireless connection. It is also possible that the vehicle, for. B. in a local garage, a near field communication, z. B. to a home network, builds or a wired connection is used, the z. B. for a certain period of time, for. B. while charging a battery exists. Accordingly, the communication of the vehicle with the communication unit can be done both wirelessly and by wire.

By decoupling the request from the actual data transmission, the communication may occur depending on the vehicle condition (or vehicle position). Ideally, the required information is already present in the vehicle before it is actually needed by the user.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

101

vehicle

102

Remote unit

103

trigger

104

request unit

105

control unit

106

Manager

107

Vehicle interface

108

data exchange

109

Home Network

110

Server (eg backend of the vehicle manufacturer or service provider)

111

End device (mobile, eg with IP interface)

Claims (15)

Method for data transmission between a communication unit and a vehicle, In which, depending on a trigger, a job is started, the job comprising at least one request, In which a control unit of the vehicle executes the job when the at least one request of the job is fulfilled, - In the job based on the data transfer between the communication unit and the vehicle is performed. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is one of the following components - a machine; - a mobile device; - a mobile phone; A portable device with a radio interface; - a calculator; A computer network; A backend of a vehicle manufacturer or a service provider. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the communication unit can be connected to the vehicle via at least one of the following interfaces: - a mobile interface; - a Bluetooth interface; A WLAN interface; A radio interface; - a wired interface. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one request takes into account a vehicle state and / or a connection state. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the job has a priority, so that the job is executed by the control unit taking into account the priority. Method according to one of the preceding claims, - where an instance of the job is generated, depending on a trigger, - where the instance of the job has information about the data exchange and the at least one request. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trigger is provided by the vehicle. The method of claim 7, wherein the trigger comprises at least one of the following events: A change of state of the vehicle; A change of state of a component of the vehicle; - reaching a position; - reaching or exceeding a predetermined threshold value; - reaching or exceeding a predetermined period of time. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the trigger is provided by the communication unit or by a remote unit. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the job is cached if it is not executable. Device for data transmission between a communication unit and a vehicle With a request unit that starts a job depending on a trigger, the job comprising at least one request, With a control unit that executes the job when the at least one request of the job is fulfilled, - Based on the job data transfer between the communication unit and the vehicle is feasible. Device according to claim 11, wherein the trigger can be provided via a vehicle interface. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the trigger is provided by the communication unit or by a remote unit. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising a manager for monitoring conditions of the vehicle and / or a communication link, wherein the manager informs the control unit of status changes. Vehicle comprising a device according to one of claims 11 to 14.

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