WO2019137769A1

WO2019137769A1 - Network adapter, vehicle bus system and method for accessing functions of a vehicle via a network

Info

Publication number: WO2019137769A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/085793
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerd SCHÜNEMANN
Original assignee: Wabco Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-01-09
Filing date: 2018-12-19
Publication date: 2019-07-18
Also published as: DE102018000094A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a network adapter (11), more particularly a CAN-WLAN bridge, for connecting a vehicle bus system (10) in a vehicle, such as in particular a heavy goods vehicle or bus, to a network, wherein a bus interface for establishing the connection to the vehicle bus system (10) and at least one network interface for connecting to a network are provided. The network adapter is characterized in that at least one web page is provided for accessing and/or for monitoring and/or controlling at least one function of the motor vehicle. The invention additionally relates to a vehicle bus system and a method for accessing functions of a motor vehicle via a network.

Description

Network adapter, vehicle bus system and method for accessing functions of a vehicle via a network

description

The invention further relates to a vehicle bus system according to the preamble of claim 14. Finally, the invention relates to a method for accessing functions of a vehicle via a network according to the preamble of claim 21.

Vehicles, such as, in particular, trucks and buses, typically include a number of vehicle control devices. Each vehicle control unit is responsible for ei ne or more functions of the vehicle. This means that it is provided for the monitoring and / or control of the respective function. Examples are brake control units or engine control units.

The vehicle control units are usually coupled together so as to be able to communicate with each other. For this purpose, so-called vehicle bus systems are provided, such as, for example, a so-called Controller Area Network Bus or CAN bus for short. At this interface with a corresponding bus equipped vehicle control units are connected. This makes it possible for these vehicle control units to exchange data with one another and, if appropriate, to coordinate their control or their function.

In addition, so-called network adapters are known, which serve for Anbin tion of a vehicle bus system of a vehicle to a network. In particular, the network may be radio networks, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) or the like. Such a ger network adapter is therefore also called "CAN-bridge" or "WLAN-CAN-bridge".

These network adapters are connected to the vehicle bus system via a bus interface, as is the case with the vehicle control units. Thus, the network adapter can communicate on the one hand with the vehicle bus system and the associated vehicle control devices and on the other hand with network devices.

The network adapter is used in the prior art to build a network connection to the vehicle bus system. Thus, via suitable terminals, such as in particular computers or tablets, by means of suitable software access to the vehicle bus system and attached vehicle control units. For example, monitoring and / or control of the vehicle control unit connected to the vehicle bus system is made possible. Functions of the vehicle control devices can thus be monitored and / or controlled. This is particularly helpful for service purposes, as it can be dispensed with special connectors or interfaces in favor of a common network interface.

A disadvantage of these systems, however, is that special software for control is required. Thus, a required access to the individual vehicle control ergeräte can only be done via a special software.

It is therefore an object of the invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, access to functions of the vehicle or the vehicle control devices should be simplified.

This object is achieved by a network adapter having the features of claim 1. The network adapter is used to connect a vehicle bus system of a vehicle, in particular a lorry or bus, to a network. The bus interface is for establishing the connection with the vehicle bus system and at least one bus interface on the one hand and at least one network interface. Interface designed for connection to a network on the other. This allows information to be exchanged between the vehicle bus system and the network. Means are provided for providing at least one web page for access to at least one function and / or a group of functions of the motor vehicle, in particular at least one vehicle control device. The network adapter according to the invention is characterized in that at least two of the web pages can be addressed via different network addresses. This allows individual access to and individual query of the web pages. Preferably, a direct addressing of the website for targeted access to one or more of the functions of the motor vehicle is provided. In particular, the network adapter or the website provided can serve to monitor and / or control at least one function of the motor vehicle. The web pages or the means for their provision are provided in particular by the network adapter. This makes it possible to maintain a web page for a vehicle control unit without burdening the vehicle control unit or the bus itself with data traffic or arithmetical work. Websites are in the usual way with virtually any modern terminal verar editable documents. They are typically encoded in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) or similar. Web pages can be retrieved and displayed using so-called browsers. Since such websites are readable by the user with virtually table every terminal, it is no longer necessary to hold special software to access the vehicle functions. Different network addresses enable independent addressing of the individual web pages. This can be a direct query of individual websites and thus in particular a single vehicle functions or control devices from outside suc conditions.

Preferably, at least one web server is provided for providing the web page. The web server serves to deliver the data of a web page at the request of a browser. This ensures that an inquiry-compliant provision is made. The web server is integrated in particular in the network adapter. It preferably serves as means for providing the at least one web page. Particularly preferably, at least two of the web pages are provided with different means of provision. In particular, they are different web servers. Thus, the data can be provided independently of each other.

More preferably, the web server is a so-called virtual web server. This means, in particular, that the web server is provided part virtualized on the network adapter. Thus, the network adapter can provide multiple virtual web servers at the same time. Thus, several websites and / or web servers can be provided in parallel.

The means for providing a web page, preferably the or one of the web servers, are further preferably associated with the network adapter. In particular, the special means or the web server can be integrated into the network adapter. Thus, the website can preferably be provided directly at the location of the accessing or to be monitored and / or to steu ernden function. Unnecessary data traffic, for example via the vehicle bus can thus be avoided.

Preferably, an adapter software or interface software for switching between an operating software or firmware of a vehicle control unit on the one hand and the at least one web server on the other hand provided. This may be required to customize different data formats. Also, a preparation of data or control commands can be made for use by means of a web page or a web server. The adaptation can preferably be made manufacturer-specific, so as to compensate, for example, manufacturer-specific differences. The adapter software or interface software is preferably provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle control unit. This applies in particular to the specific website data or its programming. In order for a manufacturer-specific design and function of the website for the respective driving tool control device or the corresponding functions of the motor vehicle can be achieved. Preferably, the at least one network interface is provided as an internal or external network interface. It is also possible to provide a plurality of network interfaces, wherein in particular at least one is provided in tern and an external network interface. Internally and externally, this refers to the vehicle. An internal network interface is considered to be vehicle-related, ie it is used to connect to other devices such as tablets, computers, mobile phones or similar devices. An external network interface is used in particular for connection to an external vehicle network, such as a mobile network. Thus, depending on the application, a suitable network interface can be selected.

The at least one network interface can be designed for the production of network connections by radio and / or cable. In particular, WLAN, Bluetooth, NFC and / or other local network standards, such as LAN or Ethernet, serve this purpose. For connection to external networks, so in particular special cellular networks, serve for example standard such as GPRS, UMTS or LTE.

Preferably, a connection to a vehicle-related or local area network (LAN) and / or to a vehicle-external or far-reaching network (WAN) may be provided.

Further preferably, a preferably unique addressing is provided. This is done in particular by means of addresses of the Internet Protocol (IP or IP addresses), preferably by TCP / IP. Such addressing is possible in the world wide Internet in a clear way. This allows integration into the Internet of things as well as troubleshooting or the provision of comfort functions for the driver. For addressing in particular both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are considered.

Subaddressing of the website and / or the web server preferably takes place. In this case, a separate address range is furthermore preferably provided, in particular for each web server or for each website. This way a unique addressing can be ensured. This is used in particular for targeted access to individual functions or groups of functions of the motor vehicle.

Preferably, separate address areas are provided per function and / or per group of functions and / or per vehicle control unit. This can be done a targeted te and / or direct addressing of the individual functions and / or groups of functions and / or vehicle control units.

In particular, each web page and / or web server is separately addressable. This allows a clear assignment in the vehicle and / or in Fahrzeugbussys system can be achieved.

The object set in the introduction is also achieved by a Fahrzeugbussys system for communication between vehicle control units of a vehicle having the features of claim 14. The vehicle bus system has at least one vehicle control unit for monitoring and / or control of at least one function of the vehicle or is connected to such. In this case, the at least one vehicle control device has a bus interface to the bus connection, wherein at least one provided with a bus interface network adapter, as described in particular above, is provided for providing a network connection between the bus system and a network. The vehicle bus system is characterized in that provided by the network kadapter means for providing at least one web page, which serve to access and / or for monitoring and / or control of at least one function of the motor vehicle. In this case, access to at least two of the web pages is provided via different network addresses. The network adapter therefore preferably provides the means or the at least one web page. This ensures that access to vehicle functions without special software is possible. The different network addresses allow independent addressing of the individual web pages. This allows a direct query of individual web pages and thus especially a individual vehicle functions or control units from outside suc conditions.

Preferably, the means for providing the at least one web page or the web page itself is integrated in the network adapter. Thus, the network adapter already done the deployment. Unnecessary data traffic and computing power can thus be avoided on the vehicle bus and the respective vehicle control units.

Further preferably, the means and / or the website are the vehicle control device or assigned to one of the vehicle control units. Preferably, each of the vehicle control units is assigned a website. This can be an individual access. The website may be adapted to the specific functions of the vehicle control unit. The creation of the web pages is preferably carried out dynamically, that is, it is calculated or composed, in particular based on current data.

Further preferably, at least one web server, preferably several web servers are provided in the at least one network adapter. The least one web server is provided in particular for providing the at least one web page. Thus, a separate provision and / or Anpas solution of the web server or the website can be done.

As a web server in particular a so-called virtual web server verwen det. This means, in particular, that the web server is provided part virtualized by the network adapter. Thus, the network adapter can offer several virtual web servers at the same time. Thus several websites and / or web servers can be provided in parallel.

In particular, a connection with a vehicle information system of the vehicle is provided, preferably a driver information system and / or entertainment system. In particular, at least one display and / or control unit is provided, more preferably with at least one display, Touchscreen, keypad and / or similar. An integration in and / or Ver connection with an information system of the vehicle allows a Steuereng means of existing display and / or control elements. Also, a ge mutual influence may be provided, for example, a control and / or regulation of a function in dependence on another.

The at least one function is preferably accessible from the area of the vehicle and / or from outside, preferably interrogated and / or operated, more preferably by means of the at least one network adapter. Such access options correspond to different user-specific requirements.

The object described above is also achieved by a method for accessing functions of a motor vehicle with the measures of claim 21. Preferably, it serves to monitor and / or control functions of at least one vehicle control device of the motor vehicle. The vehicle control device is in particular connected via a vehicle bus system, in particular according to one of claims 14 to 20. At least one web page is provided for access to the functions of a motor vehicle via the vehicle bus system. The method is characterized in that at least two Web pages are addressed via different network addresses. This allows a special software independent access and / or individual on functions of the motor vehicle.

Preferably, a connection of the vehicle bus system is provided to a network, preferably via WLAN, the website is be provided via the network be. There are also other radio standards into consideration, such as the example described above. The selection of the radio standard is particularly dependent on the desired range of the connection. Thus, local or external networks can be connected to the vehicle. The website is provided in particular by means of at least one network adapter according to the above descriptions. In this case, in particular from the network from an access via the network adapter on the at least one driving convincing bus system and / or vice versa. This is the desired connection he goes.

Other features and combinations of features may otherwise result from the subclaims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. In these show:

1 shows a vehicle bus system with network adapters and web servers in vehicle control devices,

2 shows a vehicle bus system with vehicle control units and web servers in the network adapter,

3 shows a network adapter with connected devices in a detailed representation, and

Fig. 4 is a vehicle bus system in a schematic diagram.

1 and 2 show two examples of invention Fahrzeugbussyste me 10 each with a network adapter 11 and several Fahrzeugsteuergerä th 12th

The vehicle bus system 10 includes the actual vehicle bus 13 as well as the connected vehicle control units 12 and the network kadapter 11. The network adapter 11 is used to connect external devices via network. In the present case, a radio interface 14 is provided as a network interface. By means of the radio interface 14, an external mobile device 15 connected to who. For this purpose, the mobile device 15 also has a radio interface 16. The two radio interfaces 14 and 16 are formed in this case as WLAN interfaces.

The mobile device 15, which may be, for example, a tablet or a mobile phone, has a display unit 17. On this display unit 17, such as a display or monitor, content can be displayed, such as web pages.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, web servers 18 are provided both in the network adapter 11 and in the vehicle control devices 12.

In this case, these web servers 18 can be adressed via the network adapter 11. The data on the vehicle bus 13 between the network adapter 11 and the vehicle control units 12 are replaced. The Adressie tion in via the radio interface 14 connected network via the network adapter 11. If necessary, may be provided for the vehicle control units 12 subaddressing, so that the web server 18 on the vehicle control units 12 are individually controlled.

The web servers 18 serve to provide web pages. These can then be accessed by means of, for example, the mobile device 15 on functions of the vehicle control ergeräte 12. A displayable accordingly on the display unit 17 web page is provided by the respective web servers 18.

The corresponding website is equipped with the appropriate data and settings of the respective vehicle control unit 12 or created on their basis. This creation is particularly dynamic. This makes it possible to access the individual functions of the vehicle control unit 12. Preferably they can be monitored or controlled. In general, access to these functions is possible. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 are compared to that of FIG. 1, only the web server 18 is not arranged in the vehicle control units 12 but in the Netzwerkadap ter 11. The web servers 18 may be coupled to the functions of the vehicle control devices 12 accordingly. Thus, the network adapter 11 provides for the provision of the corresponding web pages. By way of example, only three instead of four web servers 18 are shown here. In this case, therefore, for example, individual functions can be summarized on a web page, since they concern, for example, similar components or functions of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a corresponding network adapter 11. In addition, related components are shown.

On the one hand, this is a mobile device 15, which is connected via radio interface 16. In addition, a telematics system 19 is shown, which is just if coupled via radio interface 20 to the mobile device 15. Both are, so to speak, external components to the network adapter 11. The network adapter has the radio interface 14 for this purpose. The connection is then established via a local radio network 29, in particular via WLAN.

The telematics system 19 is here, however, connected via cable network interface 25 to the network adapter 11, ie in particular via Ethernet. Thus, an equally conceivable local wiring with network cables 30 is taken into account.

Both the mobile device 15 and the telematics system 19 additionally have mobile radio interfaces 21 in this case. In this case, a connection is set up, for example, on the Internet 22 via UMTS or similar standards.

By way of example, a remote, stationary terminal 23 can then access corresponding data of the vehicle via the Internet 22 via mobile radio connection via mobile radio 21. It is thus possible via the terminal 23 by means of mobile radio 21 to talking vehicle data is accessed. The same applies to the access to the data of the telematics system 19.

Since in this case the mobile device 15 is coupled to the vehicle bus system 10 via WLAN, it is carried along with the vehicle. It can be used on the way to query vehicle data. The coupling takes place via the

WLAN interface 14 of the network adapter 11.

The network adapter 11 itself has in the present case, a plurality of com ponents. Among other things, several web servers 18 are integrated here, which are connected via an internal network router 24 with the different network systems. In particular, the cable network interface 25 for Telema tiksystem 19 is thereby operated as well as the radio interface fourteenth

Furthermore, various data management systems 26 are provided. The se serve to mediate the exchange of data between the web servers 18 and the per bus interface 27 by logical or 28 actual adres tion connected vehicle control units 12 (ECU). Thus, by implementing the network addressing by means of the network router 24 on the vehicle bus 13, access to the vehicle control units 12 by Networkadres tion done.

The bus interface 27 sets the logical addressing on the one hand in the fixed addressing on the vehicle bus 13 by implementing the Softwareadressie tion on the Flardwareadressen the bus interface 28.

The addressing of the web server 18 is done here by appropriate IP addressing. Each web server 18 is here associated with its own address. Thus each website can be selected directly by controlling the respective web server 18. It can also be a subaddressing, for example, by selective port selection in addition to the IP addressing. There may be human-readable designations in the form of so-called domain names or uniform resource locators (URL). Here, too, corresponding subaddresses can be made. This can be ensured for example in the form of so-called subdomains.

In the area of the network adapter 11 should be provided in each case for a corre sponding address resolution. For example, this can be achieved by providing Domain Name Services (DNS) services. Thus, appropriate assignments of the individual address types and address ranges can be made to each other and to the corresponding components.

In addition, by suitable router functionalities, in particular in the area of the network adapter 11, the corresponding requests and responses can be forwarded accordingly within the vehicle or the vehicle bus system 11.

The overview or schematic diagram of Fig. 4 shows on the one hand übersichtsweise a vehicle bus system 11 on the left side of the dashed line and on the other hand, the external representation of the corresponding web pages on the right side.

Accordingly, the left side is located inside the vehicle, while the right side is located outside the vehicle. The network adapter 11 is here again connected to the vehicle control devices 12 via the vehicle bus 13. Inside the network adapter 11, three corresponding web servers 18 with associated adapter software are sketched here. The corresponding network router 24 is not shown separately here. It is only the so-mediated addressing by TCP / I P in the area of the vertical dashed line shows ge.

For example, the device on the right side of the drawing may be an external mobile device 15. Since this is ideally done by means not shown here Funkschnitt- On the one hand, it can be used in and on the vehicle on the one hand, as long as it involves short-range network connections, such as WLAN or Bluetooth. In the case of long-range network interfaces, such as mobile radio or the like, it is also possible to use the device far away from the vehicle, for example via the Internet 22.

The functionable on the respective mobile device 15 or stationary computer browser or Internet browser serves to represent via the TCP / IP protocol sent web pages. These are in example in the so-called HTML format. Both test-based and graphic-based content can be reproduced. This depends on the respective capacity of the web browser and the content stored and offered on it.

Claims

claims

1 . Network adapter (in particular CAN-WLAN bridge) for connecting a vehicle bus system (10) of a vehicle, in particular a truck or bus, to a network (21, 22, 29, 30), wherein at least one bus interface (27, 28) for establishing the connection with the vehicle bus system (10) and at least one network interface (14, 25) for connection to a network (22), wherein means for providing at least one web page for accessing and / or monitoring and / or control little least one function, preferably a group of functions of the motor vehicle, in particular at least one vehicle control device, are provided, characterized in that at least two of the web pages can be addressed via different network addresses.

2. Network adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that as a means for providing the at least one web page at least one web server (18) are provided for providing the at least one web page, in particular integrated into the network adapter.

3. Network adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for at least two web pages different means for providing, insbesonde re web server, are provided.

4. Network adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web server (18) is designed as a virtual web server.

5. Network adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for providing the at least one web page, preferably the or one of the web server (18), the network adapter is zugeord net, in particular in the network adapter is integrated.

6. Network adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adapter software or interface software for switching between an operating software or firmware of a vehicle control unit (12) on the one hand and the at least one web server (18) on the other hand is provided, the adapter software or interface software is preferably provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle control unit (12) be.

7. Network adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one network interface (14, 25) is provided as an internal or external network interface, wherein preferably a plurality of network interfaces (14, 25) are provided.

8. Network adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network interface (14, 25) for the production of network works connections by radio and / or cable is formed.

9. Network adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connection to a vehicle-related or local area network (LAN) (29) and / or to a vehicle external or far-reaching network (WAN) (21, 22) is provided.

10. Network adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a preferably unique addressing of at least one web page, in particular by means of addresses of the Internet Protocol (IP or IP addresses), preferably by TCP / IP, is provided.

11. Network adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a subaddressing of the web page and / or the web server (18) is provided, in particular for targeted access to individual functions and / or groups of functions and / or vehicle control devices of the motor vehicle.

12. Network adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that separate address areas per function and / or per group of functions and / or per vehicle control unit is provided.

13. Network adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that preferably each of the web pages and / or each of the Webser ver (18) is separately addressable, in particular with different network addresses.

14. A vehicle bus system for the communication between Fahrzeugsteuergerä th (12) of a vehicle, with at least one vehicle control unit (12) for monitoring and / or controlling at least one function of the vehicle, where in the at least one vehicle control unit (12) has a bus interface to the bus connection, and wherein at least one ver provided with a bus interface network adapter (11) according to one of the preceding claims for providing a network connection between the bus system (10) and a network (21, 22, 29) is provided, characterized in that by the network adapter (11) means to access at least one web page for accessing and / or monitoring and / or controlling at least one function of the motor vehicle are provided, wherein the access to at least two of the web pages is provided via different network addresses.

15. Vehicle bus system according to claim 14, characterized in that the means for providing the at least one web page in the network adapter (11) are integrated.

16. The vehicle bus system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the website is associated with one of the vehicle control devices (12), wherein preferably each of the vehicle control devices (12) is associated with a web page.

17. Vehicle bus system according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that at least one web server (18), preferably several Webs erver (18), is provided in the at least one network adapter (11), wherein the at least one web server (18) is provided in particular for providing the at least one web page.

18. Vehicle bus system according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the at least one web server (18) is designed as a virtual web server.

19. Vehicle bus system according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that a connection with a vehicle information system of the vehicle is provided, in particular a driver information system and / or entertainment system, wherein preferably at least one display and / or operating unit is provided, more preferably with at least one display, touch screen, keypad and / or the like.

20. Vehicle bus system according to one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the function of the range of the vehicle and / or from outside can be queried and / or operated, preferably by means of at least one network adapter (11).

21. A method for accessing functions of a motor vehicle via a network (21, 22, 29), preferably for monitoring and / or controlling radio functions of at least one vehicle control unit (12) of the motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle control unit (12) via a vehicle bus system ( 10), in particular according to one of claims 13 to 19, wherein at least one web page is provided for accessing the functions of a motor vehicle via the vehicle bus system (11), characterized in that at least two web pages are addressed via different network addresses.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that a Anbin tion of the vehicle bus system (11) to a network (21, 22, 29) is provided, preferably by WLAN, wherein the web page via the network (21, 22, 29) be is provided.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the web page by means of at least one network adapter (11), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12, is provided.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the network (21, 22, 29) from an access via the network adapter (11) to the website and / or the at least one vehicle bus system (10).