EP3107765A1

EP3107765A1 - Method in a motor vehicle for regulating a subset of data which is transferred to an external node

Info

Publication number: EP3107765A1
Application number: EP15752697.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johan THOLÉN; Simon WRETBLAD
Original assignee: Scania CV AB
Current assignee: Scania CV AB
Priority date: 2014-02-18
Filing date: 2015-02-05
Publication date: 2016-12-28
Also published as: SE538518C2; WO2015126310A1; EP3107765A4; SE1450184A1

Abstract

A motor vehicle comprises a chassis-related part (110) and a Supplementary module (120). The chassis-related part (110) includes a set of functional nodes (N11,..., Ν1n) configured to implement a number of fundamental functions of the motor vehicle, which functional nodes (N11,..., N1n) are connected through a first communication bus (B1) for the exchange of data. The first communication bus (B1) is further connected to an interface node N1-INT, which is configured to transmit, through a standardised interface BINT, a specified subset (D) of the said data at the first communication bus (B1) to an external node (NEXT) in the supplementary module (120). The interface node (N1-INT) is configured to receive control instructions (CPRG) and on the basis of the same to regulate the specified subset (D) of the said data, which subset (D) can be transferred to the external node (NEXT) through the standardised interface (BINT).

Description

Method in a motor vehicle for regulating a subset of data which is transferred to an external node

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION AND THE PRIOR ART

The present invention relates generally to communication that is internal to a vehicle. In particular, the invention concerns a communication system according to the preamble of claim 1 , a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 8, and a method according to the preamble of claim 9. The invention concerns also a computer program according to claim 13 and a medium that can be read by a computer according to claim 14. Information exchange between component units and control of the various functions most often takes place in modern motor vehicles with the aid of communication buses, such as buses of CAN type (where "CAN" is an acronym for "controller area network"). Applications are also found in which it is desirable to export i nformation from one or several information buses in a vehicle across a wireless interface. Such an application is the one known as a "fleet management system". It is possible in this case, for example, that a haulier wishes to monitor the positions of vehicles and the distances they have travelled in order to plan maintenance and/or follow up fuel consumption . It is for this reason necessary that each vehicle make available parts of the communication bus that is internal to the vehicle to, for example, a radio communication module.

US 6,430, 164 describes a communication bus to make possible communication between networks, buses, units and other subsystems that have diverse communication requirements. Communication equipment here offers an open architecture for interoperability between different types of subsystem, such as those that are components of a vehicle. A portal application , for example, is described , in which a vehicle that is a member of a vehicle fleet is given the possibility to communicate through a protocol that is common for several different su bsystems. A management unit i n a common module manages the relevant interface between each subsystem and the common protocol . After the common protocol has been established there is, however, no flexibility with respect to its scope or format.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED W ITH PRIOR ART TECHNOLOGY

Since certain types of vehicle, in particular commercial vehicles such as lorries and buses, are often manufactured in collaboration between two or more manufacturers who provide different parts of the vehicle, it is important to ensure that the exchange of information between vehicle parts from different manufacturers is adequate. However, for reasons of, among other thi ngs, security, a manufacturer is most often unwilling to allow other actors access to the internal signals that are present on the bus or buses that is or are components of the manufacturer's own vehicle parts or modules. SUM MARY OF THE I NVENTION

The purpose of the present invention , therefore, is to provide a solution to the problem described above that, on the one hand , satisfies the requirements of the various manufacturers for complete control of their own communication buses, and that, on the other hand , makes possible efficient exchange of information between vehicle parts and modules from different manufacturers, and where the conditions of such an exchange of information can be su bsequently modified in a simple manner.

Accordi ng to one aspect of the invention , the purpose is achieved through the communication system described in the introduction , whereby an interface node is configured to receive control instructions and , on the basis of these, regulate a specified subset of data on the internal communication bus, which subset can be transferred to an external node through a standardised interface. This communication system is advantageous, since it is possible to control in a simple manner, through the suggested control instructions, exactly which information is to be made externally available, i .e. available outside of the communication bus that a particular manufacturer controls. It is possi ble to change, by the control instructions, the amount of i nformation that has been made externally available at any time during the lifetime of the vehicle, for example, in association with upgrading or refurbishment.

Accordi ng to one embodiment of this aspect of the invention , the interface node is further configured to define, on the basis of the control instructions, a format according to which the specified subset of data is provided through the standardised interface. This is advantageous, si nce also the data format may differ between units from different manufacturers.

Accordi ng to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention , the interface node is further configured to define, on the basis of the control instructions, at least two different authorisation levels for the subset of data that has been determined through the standardised interface. This is desirable in the case in which different external parties require access to different parts of the data that are provided through the interface node. I n a bus, for example, the manufacturer of a ticketing module mounted i n the bus may require access to certain data from the vehicle, while the bus operator may require access to other data and/or a subset of the data that the manufacturer of the ticketing machine requests. Accordi ng to embodiments of this aspect of the invention , the interface node is configured to receive control instructions over the first communication bus and/or through a second interface that is different from the first communication bus. High flexibility is in this way offered with respect to how data on the first communication bus are made available externally.

Accordi ng to a further embodiment of this aspect of the invention , the external node is part of a supplementary module of the motor vehicle, which supplementary module is constructed to implement at least one additional function for the motor vehicle. Thus, the external node may be, for example, a part of a crane or other loading arrangement, the above- mentioned ticketing module, or a complete body system . Accordi ng to a further embodiment of this aspect of the invention , the supplementary module in turn comprises a communication bus, to which the external node is connected . The external node is further configured to exchange through this second communication bus data with at least one other node in the supplementary module. The data that have been communicated externally can in this way be refined and used for several functions outside of the first communication bus.

Accordi ng to another aspect of the invention , the purpose is achieved through the motor vehicle descri bed in the introduction , whereby the interface node is configured to receive control instructions and to regulate, on the basis of the same, the specified subset of data that can be transferred to the external node through the standardised interface. The advantages of this motor vehicle are made clear by the discussion above with reference to the proposed communication system.

Accordi ng to another aspect of the invention , the purpose is achieved through the method described in the i ntroduction , which method comprises the reception of control instructions in the interface node and the regulation , on the basis of the same, of the specified subset of data that can be transferred to the external node through the standardised interface. The advantages of this method , and the advantages of the preferred embodiments of it, are made clear by the discussion above with reference to the proposed communication system.

Accordi ng to a further aspect of the invention , the purpose is achieved through a computer program that can be directly downloaded to the internal memory of a computer, comprising software to control the steps according to the method proposed above when the said programme is run on a computer.

Accordi ng to a further aspect of the invention , the purpose is achieved through a medium that can be read by a computer with a program stored on the medi um, where the program is adapted to cause a computer to control the steps according to the method proposed above.

BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF DRAW I NGS

The present invention will now be described in more detail by means of embodiments, which are given as examples, and with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of a motor vehicle including a communication system according to one embodiment of the i nvention ; and

Figure 2 shows a flow diagram , which illustrates the general method according to the invention in order to provide through an interface node a given subset of the data that are communicated on a first communication bus.

DESCRI PTION OF EMBODI MENTS OF THE I NVENTION

We refer initially to Figure 1 , which shows a schematic of a motor vehicle with a communication system according to one embodiment of the invention . The communication system includes a first communication bus B 1 , a set of functional nodes N , N _n, and an interface node N _-mT. The functional nodes N , N _n are configured to implement a number of fundamental functions in a part 1 10 of the motor vehicle related to the chassis, such as solely the chassis itself, or the chassis including one or several body modules mounted onto the chassis. In addition to the chassis-related part 1 10, the motor vehicle includes a supplementary module 120 constructed to implement at least one additional function for the motor vehicle. The supplementary module 120 may be constituted by an individual unit, such as a ticketing unit constructed to issue and/or check the tickets of passengers. Alternatively, the supplementary module 120 may include a composite of two or more units that transmit data from one to the other. It is assumed in all cases that the supplementary module 120 requires access to certain data D from the chassis-related part 1 10. The first communication bus B1 in the chassis-related part 1 10 is connected not only to the functional nodes N-n , N _n but also to the interface mode Ni.|_NT, and it is configured to transfer data between these nodes according to a specified format.

The interface node Ni.|_NT is configured also to transmit, through a standardised interface B_mT, such as a variant of the CAN bus, a specified subset D of the data that are communicated on the first communication bus B1 to an external node N_EXT, which lacks direct connection to the first communication bus B1 . The external node Ν_Εχτ, therefore, has access only to the data subset D through the interface node Ni.|_NT.

The interface node Ni.|_NT is further configured to receive control instructions C_PRG, either through the first communication bus B 1 or through an alternative interface by the side of this. The interface node N-i -i MT is configured to regulate, on the basis of the control instructions C_PR_G, the specified data subset D that can be transferred to the external node N_EXT through the standardised interface B_mT.

The supplementary module 120 includes the external node N_EXT and is in this way granted access to the data subset D from the chassis-related part 1 10. One important advantage of the invention is that if the supplementary module 120 should require on a subsequent occasion , such as after the motor vehicle has been taken into operation , a somewhat different data subset D in order to function in the desired manner, control instructions C_PRG can be input to the interface node Ni.|_NT such that, instead of a data subset D, the corresponding said different subset is provided through the standardised interface B_mT. According to one embodiment of the invention , the interface node N-i -i MT is further configured to define, on the basis of the control instructions C_PRG, a format F, according to which the data subset D is made obtained through the standardised interface B_mT. Situations can namely arise in which it is necessary to modify this format F, for example, if the supplementary module 120 or a unit that is a component of the same is exchanged .

According to another embodiment of the invention , the interface node N-i -i MT is configured to define, on the basis of the control instructions C_PRG, two or more authorisation levels for the data subset D that is obtained through the standardised interface B_mT. Differentiated authorisation levels of this type make it possible for different individuals and/or parties to obtain access to different parts of the data subset D, which guarantees not only good data security but also high flexibility of the standardised interface B_mT. If the supplementary module 120 includes two or more nodes N₂i , N_2m that are structured to exchange data between them, the supplementary module 120 comprises, according to one embodiment of the invention , a second communication bus B2.

The second communication bus B2 joins the nodes N₂i , N_2m and is further connected to the external node N_EXT. The data subset D can in this way also be shared with the nodes N₂ ,

N_2m in the supplementary module 120.

It is an advantage if the interface node Ni.|_NT comprise, or otherwise that this node be in communicative connection with, a memory unit that stores a computer program that contains software constructed to cause the interface node Ni.|_NT to carry out the measures described above when the computer program is run in the interface node Ni.|_NT. For the purposes of summarising , the general method according to the invention will now be described with reference to the flow diagram in Figure 2.

In a step 210, it is assumed that data are transferred between two or more functional nodes in a motor vehicle through a first communication bus B 1 in the vehicle. In a step 220, which takes place in parallel with the step 210, a subset of the data D that are communicated through the first communication bus through an i nterface node N _-EXT is obtai ned . The subset of data D that is obtained through the interface node N _-EXT is determined by previously received control instructions C_{P RG}, which were specified either when the vehicle was constructed or on a subsequent occasion .

Subsequently, in a step 230, it is investigated whether new control instructions C_{P RG} have been received . If this is the case, a step 240 follows. Otherwise, the procedure loops back to steps 21 0 and 220 for continued data communication and the obtaini ng of the said subset of data D, according to previously valid control instructions C_{P RG} . In step 240, the su bset of the data D that has been obtained through the interface node N _-EXT is modified according to the control instructions C_{P RG} that have been received in step 230, after which the procedure loops back to steps 21 0 and 220 for continued data communication and the obtai ning of a subset of data D, according to the new control instructions C_{P RG} .

It is advantageous if the method steps descri bed with reference to Figure 2 are controlled with the aid of a programmed computer. Furthermore, even if the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the drawings comprise a computer and processes carried out in a computer, the invention extends to computer programs, i n particular computer programs on or in a carrier adapted to implement the invention in practice. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, a code that constitutes an i ntermediate form between source code and object code, such as i n partially compiled form, or in any other form at all that is suitable to use during the implementation of the process according to the invention . The carrier may be a freely chosen entity or arrangement that is capable of carrying the program. The carrier may, for example, comprise a storage medium such as a flash memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), for example a CD (Compact Disc) or a semiconductor ROM , EPROM (Electrically Programmable ROM ), EEPROM (Erasable EPROM), or a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disk or a harddisk. Furthermore, the carrier may be a transferring carrier, such as an electrical or optical signal , which can be led through an electrical or optical cable or by radio or in another manner. In the case in which the program is formed as a signal that can be led directly by a cable or other arrangement or means, the carrier may be constituted by such a cable, arrangement or means. Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the programme has been embedded , where the integrated circuit is adapted to carry out, or to be used duri ng the execution of, the relevant processes.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments that have been descri bed with reference to the drawings; it can be freely varied within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1 . A communication system for a motor vehicle comprising : a set of functional nodes (N , N _n) configured to implement a number of fundamental functions in a chassis-related part (1 10) of the motor vehicle,

a first communication bus (B 1 ), which is connected to the functional nodes (N , N _-MT, N _n) and configured to transfer data between the same, and

an interface node Ni.|_NT, which is connected to the first communication bus (B1 ) and configured also to transmit, through a standardised interface B|_NT, a specified subset (D) of the said data to an external node (N_EXT), which lacks direct connection to the first communication bus (B1 ).

characterised in that the interface node (N _{- M}T) is configured to receive control instructions (C_{P RG}) and on the basis of the same to regulate the specified subset (D) of the said data, which subset (D) can be transferred to the external node (N_EXT) through the standardised interface (B_mT).

2. The communication according to claim 1 , whereby the interface node (N -MMT) is further configured to define, on the basis of the control instructions (C_PRG), a format (F) according to which the specified subset (D) of the said data is obtained through the standardised interface (B_mT).

3. The communication according to claim 1 or 2, whereby the interface node (N -MMT) is further configured to define, on the basis of the control instructions (C_PRG), at least two different authorisation levels for the subset (D) of the said data that has been determined through the standardised interface (B_mT).

4. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, whereby the interface node (N -MMT) is configured to receive control instructions (C_PRG) over the first communication bus (B 1 ).

5. The communication system according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the interface node (N _-mT) is configured to receive control instructions (C_PRG) through another interface than the first communication bus (B 1 ).

6. The communication system according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the external node (N_EXT) is a component of a supplementary module (120) of the motor vehicle, which supplementary module (120) is constructed to implement at least one additional function for the motor vehicle.

7. The communication system according to claim 6, whereby the supplementary module (120) comprises a second communication bus (B2) to which the external node (N_EXT) is connected and through which communication bus (B2) the external node (N_EXT) is configured to exchange data with at least one other node (N₂ i , N_2m) in the supplementary module (120).

8. A motor vehicle comprising :

a chassis-related part (1 10) including a set of functional nodes (N -M , N _N) configured to implement a number of fundamental functions of the motor vehicle, which functional nodes (N-M , N _n) are connected through a first communication bus (B1 ) for the exchange of data, where the first communication bus (B1 ) is further connected to an interface node (N -MMT) that is configured to obtain , through a standardised interface (B|_NT), a specified subset (D) of the said data, and

a supplementary module (120) constructed to implement at least one additional function at the motor vehicle, the supplementary module (120) including an external node (N_EXT), which is connected to the standardised interface (B_mT) but lacks a direct connection to the first communication bus (B1 ),

characterised in that the interface node (N _-mT) is configured to receive control instructions (C_PRG) and on the basis of the same to regulate the specified subset (D) of the said data, which subset (D) can be transferred to the external node (N_EXT) through the standardised interface (B_mT).

9. A method for communication in a motor vehicle comprising a set of functional nodes (N-M, N _N) configured to implement a number of fundamental functions in a chassis-related part (110) of the motor vehicle, whereby the functional nodes (N-M, N-MMT, N _N) are connected to a first communication bus (B1), which is further connected to an interface node (N-MMT), the method comprising: the transfer of data between the functional nodes (N-n, N-|. iMT, N _N) through the first communication bus (B1), and

the obtaining, through a standardised interface (B_MT) at the interface node (N _-MT), of a specified subset (D) of the said data to an external node (N_EXT), which lacks direct connection to the first communication bus (B1),

characterised in that

reception of control instructions (C_PRG) in the interface node (N _-MT), and, on basis of the same,

the regulation of the specified subset (D) of the said data, which can be transferred to the external node (N_EXT) through the standardised interface (B_MT).

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

the definition, on the further basis of the control instructions

(CRRG), of a format (F) according to which the specified subset (D) of the said data is obtained through the standardised interface

11. The method according to any one of claims 9 or 10, further comprising:

the definition, on the further basis of the control instructions (CPRG), of at least two different authorisation levels for the specified subset (D) of the said data that has been obtained through the standardised interface (B_MT).

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising the reception of the control instructions (C_PRG) in the interface node (Ni.|_NT) through the first communication bus (B1).

13. A computer program that can be downloaded to the internal memory of a computer, comprising software to execute the steps according to any one of claims 9 to 12 when the said program is run on the computer.

14. A medium that can be read by a computer with a program stored on the same, where the program is adapted to cause a computer to execute the steps according to any one of claims 9 to 12.