WO2023093982A1 - Data processing system and computer implemented method to organize data transmittance concerning a vehicle - Google Patents

Data processing system and computer implemented method to organize data transmittance concerning a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023093982A1
WO2023093982A1 PCT/EP2021/082888 EP2021082888W WO2023093982A1 WO 2023093982 A1 WO2023093982 A1 WO 2023093982A1 EP 2021082888 W EP2021082888 W EP 2021082888W WO 2023093982 A1 WO2023093982 A1 WO 2023093982A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
vehicle
module
processing system
control module
Prior art date
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PCT/EP2021/082888
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Stephan Max
Prathvirani TOLETY
Stefan Briese
Serdal Uzun
Giovanni GROSSETTI
Emmanuel Veranyuy MFON
Bhushan JOSHI
Original Assignee
Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
Cariad Se
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Cariad Se filed Critical Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
Priority to PCT/EP2021/082888 priority Critical patent/WO2023093982A1/en
Publication of WO2023093982A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023093982A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/12—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Definitions

  • the invention is concerned with a data processing system for a vehicle to organize data transmittance concerning the vehicle.
  • the invention is furthermore concerned with a computer implemented method to organize data transmittance concerning a vehicle and a computer program product.
  • a vehicle provides typically multiple vehicle functions, for example, a driver assistance system, a comfort system, such as a multimedia system, an air- conditioning system and/or a remote locking or unlocking function of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle preferably provides a vehicle function module configured to provide the particular vehicle function.
  • the vehicle preferably furthermore comprises a control module configured, for example, to provide data for the vehicle function modules.
  • the provided data is, for example, sensor data provided by a sensor device of the vehicle. There is thus data transmittance concerning the vehicle.
  • a first aspect of the invention is concerned with a data processing system for a vehicle.
  • the vehicle may be a motor vehicle, such as a passenger vehicle, a truck, a bus and/or a motorcycle.
  • the data processing system is configured to organize data transmittance concerning the vehicle.
  • Data transmittance is all kind of data transfer, for example, any communication, transmittance of an electronic message and/or at least one data element affecting the vehicle.
  • the data processing system comprises at least one vehicle function module.
  • the vehicle function module is configured to provide a function of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle function module is, for example, a control unit of a driver assistance system, such as, for example, a lane assist.
  • the vehicle function module provides a remote locking and unlocking function of the vehicle, a software update for a vehicle software, an air-conditioning service of the vehicle and/or another vehicle application.
  • one vehicle function module provides only one vehicle function.
  • the data processing system comprises a control module.
  • the control module is configured to provide data for the at least one vehicle function module. Therefore, the control module, for example, provides or receives sensor data, for example sensor data of a front camera of the vehicle, and provides this data for the at least one vehicle function module. If the at least one vehicle function module provides, for example, the lane assist as driver assistance system, the provided data is, for example, camera data of the front camera.
  • the camera data comprise preferably static or moving image data of a lane on which the vehicle is driving.
  • Data transmittance concerning the vehicle is hence, for example, transmittance of sensor data for at least one function of the vehicle within the vehicle from the control module to the respective vehicle function module.
  • a module in the sense of the invention is a part of a software system of the vehicle that provides a specific service.
  • the control module and the at least one vehicle function module preferably comprise instructions, stored on at least one processing device.
  • the instructions may be program code.
  • the processing device may be a processor and comprises one or more microprocessors and/or one or more microcontrollers.
  • the processing device may be an electronic control unit (ECU). It is possible that there is an individual processing device for the control module and each of preferably multiple vehicle function module. Alternatively, a common processing device provides all modules.
  • a vehicle usually comprises multiple control modules each configured for a specific programming language so that there is preferably at least one control module for each programming language of instructions of the preferably multiple vehicle function modules of the vehicle.
  • this requires multiple control modules and furthermore results in a less flexible software structure of the vehicle.
  • the data processing system comprises an adapter module.
  • the adapter module is in other words an interface between the control module and the at least one vehicle function module.
  • the adapter module as interface is a component of the data processing system.
  • the adapter module participates in all data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module and the control module. This means that, for example, if the control module provides data for a specific vehicle function module, the control module does not transmit the data directly to the respective vehicle function module but transmits it to the adapter module, which receives the data and, for example, transmits the received data to the respective vehicle function module. Data transmittance occurs hence via the adapter module.
  • the adapter module may pass on the received data unchanged. Alternatively or additionally, it may process the received data and transmit processed data to the respective vehicle function module.
  • the processed data may be data that is interpretable by the respective vehicle function module in case, for example, the instructions of the control module and the respective vehicle function module are written in different programming languages.
  • the adapter module is involved in every data transmittance between the control module and the at least one and preferably multiple vehicle function modules.
  • the adapter module, the at least one vehicle function module and/or the control module can be comprised by one common processing device, such as a common ECU.
  • the vehicle function module may be referred to as a function container, the control module as a vehicle container and the adapter module as an abstraction layer between the control module and the vehicle function module.
  • the adapter module can provide a translation between different programming languages to organize data transmittance between the vehicle function module and the control module, meaning data transmittance concerning a vehicle.
  • the adapter module is hence a module that converts attributes of the at least one vehicle function module to attributes of the control module so that, for example, otherwise incompatible modules can communicate and transmit data between one another. This allows for easy and quick data transmittance within for example a vehicle and hence improves data transmittance organization.
  • control module is a vehicle control module comprised by the vehicle.
  • the control module is hence a component of the vehicle. It is preferably a central control module of the vehicle.
  • the control module may receive sensor date from at least one sensor device of the vehicle and forward and/or process it for the at least one vehicle function module.
  • the vehicle control module receives data from different components of the vehicle including, for example, starting or deactivation information regarding a vehicle function and/or transmittance of status information of vehicle functions and/or vehicle devices, such as the sensor devices.
  • all functions of the vehicle are based on data provided by the control module or are at least partially dependent on data provided by the vehicle control module.
  • the vehicle control module may control all data handling of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle control module represents a lower layer of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle control module provides direct access to preferably all vehicle data.
  • the data processing system is completely comprised by components of the vehicle itself, meaning that both the at least one vehicle function module as well as the control module are positioned within the vehicle.
  • the data processing system is a vehicle specific system completely comprised by the vehicle. Therefore, no external communication, for example, to an external device such as an external processing unit is required to organize data transmittance concerning the vehicle.
  • the data processing system hence optimizes data transmittance within the vehicle.
  • control module is an external control module comprised by an external processing unit.
  • the control module is, for example, located on a server unit and/or a computer outside the vehicle.
  • the external processing unit may provide a cloud service.
  • External means in relation to the vehicle, meaning that the external control module is a control module that is not located within the vehicle but external to the vehicle.
  • Another vehicle may comprise the external control module.
  • the other vehicle provides data for the vehicle, more precisely for the at least one vehicle function module of the vehicle. This is, for example, reasonable if the function of the vehicle is based or depends on data provided by an external data source, meaning the external processing unit.
  • weather data and/or traffic data representing a current traffic situation in an environment of the vehicle may be provided by the external processing unit for functionality of, for example, a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
  • data transmittance between the external control module and the respective vehicle function module is required to provide full functionality of the driver assistance system.
  • the vehicle function is, for example, a navigation system of the vehicle
  • the provided traffic data may be essential to provide a traffic jam warning within the vehicle.
  • the external server unit and/or the other vehicle provide the traffic data and/or status data of the other vehicle.
  • both the external server unit as well as the other vehicle are both possible external processing units, which each comprise the external control module.
  • the external control module is configured to provide data for the vehicle and/or receive data from the at least one vehicle function module.
  • the vehicle function module may provide raw or processed camera data for the external processing unit in order to provide information on a current traffic situation in the environment of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle comprises preferably the adapter module.
  • the external processing unit and/or the external device, that comprises the external processing unit comprises the adapter module.
  • the data processing system is not completely located within the vehicle but is partially external to the vehicle due to the external control module.
  • the data processing system is not necessarily a vehicle intern system but allows also improved organization of data transmittance between the vehicle and the external processing unit, which comprises that external control module.
  • Another embodiment comprises data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module and the external control module via a communication connection between the vehicle and the external processing unit.
  • the vehicle comprises a communication connection interface.
  • the communication connection interface provides to transmit data to the external processing unit and/or receive data from the external processing unit.
  • the communication connection between the vehicle and the external processing unit is preferably wireless.
  • the wireless communication connection can be based on a wireless local area network (WLAN), a Bluetooth connection and/or a mobile data network, for example, based on mobile radio standard long term evolution (LTE), long term evolution advanced (LTE-A), fifth generation (5G) or sixth generation (6G).
  • LTE mobile radio standard long term evolution
  • LTE-A long term evolution advanced
  • 5G fifth generation
  • 6G sixth generation
  • the communication connection may be referred to as vehicle-to-vehicle communication or vehicle- to-infrastructure communication. Due to the communication connection interface, an external control module is easily includable into the data processing system.
  • the adapter module is a software development kit (SDK).
  • SDK is a collection of software development tools in one installable package.
  • a SDK facilitates the creation of applications for the vehicle, for example, by comprising a compiler, debugger and/or a software framework.
  • the SDK can take the form of an application programming interface, for example, of an on-device library of reusable functions used to interface to a particular programming language, or it may be as complex as hardware-specific tools that can communicate with a particular embedded system.
  • the adapter module works as an abstraction layer consisting of a SDK, which provides, for example, interfaces for communication between the control module and the vehicle function modules.
  • the SDK is typically independent of the used platform, meaning that it can be, for example, deployed on any platform such as Linux or Mindroid.
  • the SDK is also independent of communication protocol used.
  • the SDK is hence a reasonable and easy-to-implement way to provide the adapter module.
  • the adapter module is a software library.
  • a software library is typically a collection of non-volatile resources used by computer programs, often for software development.
  • a library may include configuration data, documentation, help data, message templates, pre-written code and subroutines, classes, values or type specifications.
  • a library may be a collection of implementations of behavior, written in terms of a programming language that has a well-defined interface by which the behavior is invoked. If it is intended to write a high-level computer program, meaning instructions for a module, the library can be used to make system calls instead of implementing those system calls over again.
  • the software library hence provides specific commands to provide, for example, communication between the vehicle function module and the control module. These specific instructions are preferably preset for each specific vehicle function module.
  • the software library provides at least one specific communication instruction for each vehicle function module so that the respective vehicle function module is able to communicate with the control module and vice versa.
  • the library works as an adapter between the control module and the vehicle function module.
  • a library is typically prewritten meaning that the adapter module as software library is typically less flexible for example in regard of implementation of new vehicle functions within the vehicle, compared to the SDK.
  • using the software library is a reliable way to provide the adapter module.
  • the adapter module is preferably a SDK and/or a software library. In case of multiple adapter modules within the data processing system, a combination of SDKs and/or software libraries is possible.
  • an embodiment comprises that the adapter module provides a communication interface for the data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module and the control module.
  • the adapter module provides an interface for communication between the vehicle function module and the control module. If, for example, one of the functions of the vehicle requests transmittance of a specific type of data, the vehicle function module may first communicate to the control module via the adapter module the request for the specific type of data, for example, specific sensor data. Such a request, meaning the communication, comprises data transmittance since the request is provided as data.
  • the control module may send back an answer message to the vehicle function module, for example, to inform the vehicle function module that the requested data is currently available or not available.
  • the communication interface may provide the received message as a processed message to the receiving module, wherein the processed message is an understandable message for the receiving module. This allows quick and easy communication of messages between the vehicle function module and the control module. Furthermore, no misunderstanding between the participating modules is possible due to the communication interface of the adapter module.
  • an embodiment comprises that the communication interface comprises instructions to verify authenticity of the at least one vehicle function module and/or the control module.
  • the instructions are executable by the adapter module.
  • the adapter module can execute these instructions which serve as a check for authenticity of the participating modules meaning the control module and the at least one vehicle function module.
  • These authenticity verifications can be based on any possible and applicable authentication process.
  • each data transmittance between the vehicle function module and the control module comprises an identification message or code that is, for example, unique to the concerned vehicle and/or the concerned module and is verifiable by the adapter module. This means that the adapter module does not transmit any requests for data transmittance from a not-authenticated vehicle function module to the control module and vice versa. This provides a safety measure against possible hacker attacks on the vehicle.
  • the adapter module provides a data conversion interface.
  • the data conversion interface is configured to format data transmitted between the at least one vehicle function module and the control module.
  • the vehicle function module only receives aggregated data from the control module.
  • the aggregated data are in a service interpretable format.
  • This format is hence a format readable and interpretable by the vehicle function module or the control module, respectively.
  • the data conversion interface is preferably applicable to all data transmittance between the control module and the vehicle function module. It is, for example, possible that a specific function of the vehicle requires a specific format of sensor data.
  • the adapter module formats the sensor data received from the control module and transmits the formatted and hence processed sensor data to the vehicle function module. Therefore, all data received by the vehicle function module is already in the required format. This reduces an amount of instructions provided by each vehicle function module since data formatting instructions are not necessary any more.
  • the data conversion interface is configured to format data by applying a format requirement algorithm to the data.
  • the data to which the format requirement algorithm is applied are data sent from the control module to the adapter module.
  • the vehicle function module provides data for the control module, it is possible to apply the format requirement algorithm to data transmitted by the vehicle function module to the adapter module.
  • the format requirement algorithm comprises instructions. It particularly depends on a format requirement of the at least one vehicle function module. In other words, usually the vehicle function module sets a format requirement meaning it requests data in a specific format. This means that the format requirement algorithm is typically different for each vehicle function module in case the data processing system comprises multiple vehicle function modules.
  • the instructions of the format requirement algorithm specify, for example, the required data format and/or a calculation process to change the format of data from a current format to the required format.
  • the data conversion interface may be, for example, a protocol buffer such as protobuf.
  • the data conversion interface is preferably configured to serialize structured data, preferably provided by the control unit. Due to the data conversion interface of the adapter module, vehicle data is provided for the vehicle function module, which is preferably directly usable by the specific function of the vehicle due to the already performed data formatting. Therefore, the adapter module facilitates data provision concerning the vehicle function.
  • the adapter module provides a language conversion interface.
  • the language conversion interface is configured to translate between programming languages if the programming language of the at least one vehicle function module differs from the programming language of the vehicle control module. For example, the instructions of a specific vehicle function module are in the programming language C++ whereas the instructions of the control module are, for example, in the programming language Java.
  • the language conversion interface of the adapter module may translate all communications between the vehicle function module and the control module for the respective other module.
  • the adapter module provides language wrappers for all modules, which are written in different programming languages.
  • the adapter module itself is language independent due to the provided language conversion interface.
  • the data processing system comprises multiple vehicle function modules but only one adapter module.
  • the one adapter module is accessible by all multiple vehicle function modules.
  • a dynamic adapter module is provided which comprises, for example, the communication interface, the data conversion interface and/or the language conversion interface for all of multiple vehicle function modules of the vehicle so that each of these vehicle function modules can communicate with and/or receive for example sensor data from the control module. This facilitates data transmittance concerning the vehicle enormously. For example, less memory is needed to provide the adapter module. This also allows for easy update functions because only one update is necessary to update the adapter module for all vehicle function modules.
  • the adapter module is updated also all vehicle function modules typically have to be updated as well to provide continuous functionality of the data transmittance via the updated adapter module.
  • this error affects all data transmittance concerning the vehicle. This means that, for example, an error in the adapter module can result in functional incapacity of all functions of the vehicle because the one adapter module, that is currently faulty, participates in all data transmittance.
  • an embodiment comprises that the data processing system comprises multiple vehicle function modules.
  • the data processing system provides a respective adapter module for each of the multiple vehicle function modules.
  • a number of vehicle function modules is preferably a number of adapter modules of the data processing system.
  • a static adapter module is provided.
  • each vehicle function module comprises a vehicle function module specific adapter module. This means that every vehicle function has its own SDK or software library in order to provide the communication interface, the data conversion interface and/or the language conversion interface. If, for example, the instructions of one vehicle function module remain in an old software version although the instructions of another vehicle function have been updated, this has no impact on the functionality of this vehicle function module with the old software version because of its individual adapter module that, for example, has as well not been updated.
  • another vehicle function module with another adapter module may be updated independently so that in multiple software stages of, for example, instructions of the adapter module can be comprised by the data processing system. Therefore, an individual update procedure and timeline is possible for every vehicle function module.
  • this embodiment also results in high requirements for memory since multiple adapter modules have to be stored within the data processing system.
  • the vehicle control module is configured to receive data from at least one data source.
  • the data source is particularly a sensor device of the vehicle and/or an external processing unit, meaning an external device such as an external server unit and/or another vehicle.
  • the control module provides different kind of data, particularly depending on the data requirement of the specific vehicle function module.
  • control module for example, is designed as the vehicle control module but still receives data from the external control module, which is then further provided for the vehicle function modules.
  • vehicle control module receives sensor data from vehicle sensors, meaning the sensor devices of the vehicle, and provides the respective sensor data, which are vehicle internal data, to the respective vehicle function module.
  • the functions of the vehicle may be referred to as internet-of-things services of the vehicle.
  • the adapter module comprises prioritizing instructions to organize data transmittance in case multiple transmittance events between multiple vehicle function modules and the control module occur.
  • the adapter module is configured to prioritize data flow between the modules.
  • the control module can, for example, comprise instructions and/or a software program to decide, for example, in case of multiple simultaneous requests from individual vehicle function modules which of these vehicle function module receives, for example, data first, if not all vehicle function modules may receive data simultaneously.
  • the adapter module can have complete control of, for example, messages exchanged between the vehicle function module and the control module. There is hence no unnecessary communication information sharing between the control module and the vehicle function module.
  • Another aspect of the invention is concerned with a computer implemented method to organize data transmittance concerning a vehicle.
  • the computer implemented method is performed by a data processing system as already described.
  • the data processing system comprises at least one vehicle function module configured to provide a function of the vehicle and a control module configured to provide data for the at least one vehicle function module.
  • the data processing system comprises an adapter module. The method comprises the following steps: Transmitting data from the at least one vehicle function module and/or the control module to the adapter module of the data processing system.
  • the data is intended for transmission to the control module or the at least one vehicle function module, respectively.
  • the at least one vehicle function module transmits a request signal as data to the adapter module wherein the transmitted data is intended for the control module.
  • the control module transmits specific data, for example, sensor data from the front camera of the vehicle, to the adapter module, which is configured to transmit the data to one of the vehicle function modules.
  • Another step comprises transmitting the data in an unchanged and/or processed state to the intended module by the adapter module.
  • the data intended for the control module are simply further transmitted by the adapter module to the control module.
  • the adapter module may process received sensor data so that processed data are transmitted from the adapter module to the respective vehicle function module.
  • the computer implemented method is a method configured to be executed by the above described data processing system.
  • Embodiments as well as combinations of embodiments of the described data processing system are embodiments of the computer implemented method, if applicable.
  • a further aspect of the invention is concerned with a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a data processing system as described above cause the data processing system to carry out the method as described above.
  • the computer program product is preferably stored, for example, in a memory of the vehicle and/or the external device.
  • Embodiments and combination of embodiments of the data processing system are as well embodiments of the computer program product.
  • the computer program product is preferably a computer program.
  • the invention also comprises embodiments that provide features which afford additional technical advantages.
  • the invention also comprises the combinations of the features of the different embodiments.
  • Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the vehicle with a data processing system with a dynamic adapter module
  • Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a data processing system with a static adapter module.
  • FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 1 and a data processing system 2 for the vehicle 1 .
  • the data processing system 2 is configured to organize data transmittance concerning the vehicle 1 .
  • Data processing system 2 comprises at least one vehicle function module 3.
  • the data processing system 2 comprises three vehicle function modules 3.
  • Each vehicle function module 3 is configured to provide a function of the vehicle 1 .
  • a function of the vehicle 1 is, for example, a remote locking and unlocking service, a software update, an air-conditioning service and/or a driver assistance system of the vehicle 1 such as a lane assist.
  • the individual vehicle function modules 3 may alternatively be referred to as function containers of vehicle 1 .
  • the data processing system 2 comprises a control module 4.
  • the control module 4 is configured to provide data for the at least one vehicle function module 3.
  • the control module 4 is a vehicle control module 5 comprised by the vehicle 1 itself.
  • the control module 4 can be referred to as a vehicle container, which is a lower layer of the software of the vehicle 1 .
  • the vehicle control module 4 controls all data handling within vehicle 1 , meaning that all data captured or received within the vehicle 1 is distributed to at least one vehicle function module 3 by the control module 4, or in this example by the vehicle control module 5.
  • the control module 4 is an external control module 6 comprised by an external processing unit 7.
  • the external processing unit is for example an external device such as a server unit, a cloud and/or an external computer.
  • the external control module 6 is configured to provide data for the vehicle 1 and/or receive data from the at least one vehicle function module 3 in order to provide it, for example, for another vehicle.
  • the external processing unit 7 can be comprised by another vehicle 1 (not sketched here). In this case, for example, the external control module 6 may provide sensor data of the other vehicle 1 for the at least one of the vehicle function module 3 of vehicle 1 .
  • the vehicle 1 and/or the data processing system 2 of vehicle 1 may comprise a communication connection interface 8.
  • the communication connection 9 is preferably wireless.
  • the wireless communication connection can be based on a wireless local area network (WLAN), a Bluetooth connection and/or a mobile data network, for example, based on mobile radio standard long term evolution (LTE), long term evolution advanced (LTE-A), fifth generation (5G) or sixth generation (6G).
  • LTE mobile radio standard long term evolution
  • LTE-A long term evolution advanced
  • 5G fifth generation
  • 6G sixth generation
  • the communication connection may be a vehicle-to-vehicle communication or a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.
  • the data processing system 2 comprises an adapter module 10.
  • the adapter module 10 participates in all data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module 3 and the control module 4.
  • the adapter module 10 participates in all data transmittance additionally to the communication connection interface 8.
  • the adapter module 10 is located between the communication connection interface 8 and the respective vehicle function module 3.
  • the adapter module 10 is preferably either a software development kit (SDK) or a software library.
  • SDK software development kit
  • the vehicle 1 comprises a sensor device 11 .
  • the sensor device 11 is a front camera of the vehicle 1 .
  • the sensor device 11 is any other sensor, such as a Lidar, a rear camera, a side camera, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor and/or a velocity sensor.
  • the front camera as sensor device 11 provides sensor data to the vehicle control module 5 as control module 4.
  • the vehicle control module 5 is configured to receive data from the at least one data source, which is here the sensor device 11 of the vehicle 1 .
  • the vehicle control module 5 as control module 4 can receive external data, for example provided by the external processing unit 7.
  • the external sensor data is provided for the at least one vehicle function module 3 via the vehicle control module 5.
  • the external control module 6 can receive data, particularly sensor data, and provide this data to the vehicle function modules 3.
  • the external data can be, for example, weather data and/or traffic data and/or status data of the other vehicle 1 and/or sensor data of the other vehicle 1 .
  • Such data may be provided for a navigation system as function of the vehicle 1 , meaning for a vehicle function module 3 of the navigation system of the vehicle 1 .
  • the adapter module 10 comprises a communication interface 12, a data conversion interface 13 and a language conversion interface 14.
  • the communication interface 12 comprises instructions to verify authenticity of the at least one vehicle function module 3 and/or the control module 4, wherein the instructions are executable by the adapter module 10.
  • the communication interface 12 organizes data transmittance dealing with communication between the at least one vehicle function module 3 and the control module 4. This means that, for example, a request for data is communication between the at least one vehicle function module 3 and the control module 4.
  • the data conversion interface 13 is configured to format data transmitted between the at least one vehicle function module 3 and the control module 4.
  • the function of the vehicle requires a specific format of data, for example, while the control module 4 typically provides respective data in another format that differs from the required format, the format of, for example, raw data provided by the control module 4 is changed according to format requirements of the vehicle function module 3.
  • the data conversion interface 13 is hence configured to format data by applying a format requirement algorithm on the data.
  • the format requirement algorithm particularly depends on the format requirement of the at least one vehicle function module 3. This means that all raw data provided by, for example, the sensor device 11 which is at least temporarily stored on the control module 4 can be brought into conformity with format requirements of each respective vehicle function module 3 so that no further data formatting steps are necessary to be applied by the vehicle function module 3 itself.
  • the language conversion interface 14 is configured to translate between programming languages if the programming language of the at least one vehicle function module 3 differs from the programming language of the control module 4. For example, if program code, meaning for example instructions, of the at least one vehicle function module 3 is written in a first programming language while the control module 4 comprises program code written in a different second programming language, the adapter module 10 may translate data, particularly messages, transmitted between the control module 4 and the at least one vehicle function module 3.
  • the language conversion interface 14 is a language wrapper between the vehicle function module 3 and the control module 4. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide multiple control modules 4 within the vehicle 1 , for example, to allow vehicle function modules 3 in various different programming languages, since the adapter module 10 is a translator between individual programming languages.
  • the data processing system 2 comprises multiple vehicle function modules 3 but only one adapter module 10 accessible by all multiple vehicle function modules 3.
  • the adapter module 10 is hence a dynamic adapter module 10.
  • a static adapter module 10 is shown.
  • the data processing system 2 shown in Fig. 2 provides as well multiple vehicle function modules 3, it differs from the data processing system 2 of Fig. 1 because of its multiple adapter modules 10. All adapter modules 10 are provided by the data processing system 2. To be precisely, for each of the multiple vehicle function modules 3 a respective adapter module 10 may be provided.
  • the adapter module 10 can comprise prioritizing instructions to organize data transmittance in case multiple transmittance events between multiple vehicle function modules 3 and the control module 4 occur, preferably simultaneously or in a specific time window of, for example, between one millisecond and one second.
  • the data processing system 2 can execute a computer implemented method.
  • data is transmitted from the at least one vehicle function module 3 to the adapter module 10 of the data processing system 2 wherein the data is intended for transmission to the control module 4.
  • data is transmitted from the control module 4 via the adapter module 10 to the at least one of the vehicle function module 3.
  • the data is transmitted either unchanged or processed to the intended module by the adapter module 10. This means that the data originally transmitted from the vehicle function module 3 to the adapter module 10 and intended for transmittance to the control module 4 is then further transmitted to the control module 4 by the adapter module 10.
  • the data was originally transmitted from the control module 4 to the adapter module 10 and intended for the vehicle function module 3, it is then passed on to the vehicle function module 3.
  • this data is typically processed meaning that it is transmitted to the vehicle function module 3 in a processed state, for example, after having applied the format requirement algorithm to the data.
  • the data conversion interface 13 participates in the data transmittance in this example.
  • a simple request for data such as a communication message is transmitted from the vehicle function module 3 to the control module 4
  • this data can be transmitted in an unchanged state to the control module 4.
  • abstraction and interfaces for internet-of-things services are provided. This is based on an abstraction layer provided between the vehicle container, meaning the control module 4, and function containers and internet- of-things services, which are here provided by the vehicle function modules 3.
  • the abstraction layer is provided by the adapter module 10.
  • the abstraction layer consists of an SDK and/or a library, which provide interfaces for communication with the control module 4. This was explained in the context of the communication interface 12 provided by the adapter module 10.
  • the SDK and/or library as adapter module 10 furthermore provides an interface for receiving aggregated vehicle data in service-interpretable format. This is achieved by the data conversion interface 13 which can format transmitted data.
  • the abstraction layer is also capable of prioritizing the data flow meaning that the adapter module 10 comprises the prioritizing instructions to organize data transmittance.
  • the SDK meaning the adapter module 10, is language independent due to the containing wrappers for all defined interfaces in different languages. Therefore, the adapter module 10 comprises the language conversion interface 14.
  • the abstraction aggregated interface is platform independent as the SDK could be deployed on any platform such as Linux or Mindroid.
  • the SDK is also independent of communication protocol used. How efficient an abstraction layer, meaning the adapter module 10, depends on the use of shared abstraction layers such as shared libraries. This means that, for example, the dynamic adapter module 10 is possible. Benefit of this idea is that the SDK, meaning the adapter module 10, can have the complete control of the message being exchanged. There will not be unnecessary communication or information sharing between the vehicle 1 and the services, meaning the vehicle function modules 3.
  • the adapter module 10 can also check the authenticity of each service meaning of each vehicle function module 3 as well as the control module 4.
  • This idea can also be improved by having an abstraction layer, meaning an adapter module 10, between internet-of-things services, here provided by the vehicle function modules 3, and, for example, a cloud, here represented by the external processing unit 7.
  • the dynamic adapter module 10 is chosen. This is because in this case remote updates only have to be performed once and are easy to maintain but development and resource sharing might be complicated compared to the static adapter module 10.
  • Vehicle data is also protected from outside attacks meaning that controllability overall internet-of-things services, meaning all vehicle function modules 3, is provided since the vehicle function modules 3 do not need to know anything about the connection to the control module 4 to reduce burden over the services. This is also achieved due to the described instructions to verify authenticity.
  • the described data processing system 2 enables standard access for applications with a fast and reliable data exchange with the vehicle 1.
  • the amount of data shared with a cloud, meaning the external processing unit 7, can be reduced compared to solutions without the adapter module 10.
  • the adapter module 10 has to maintain the communication interface 12, the data conversion interface 13 as well as the authentification mechanism by itself.

Abstract

The invention is concerned with a data processing system (2) for a vehicle (1) to organize data transmittance concerning the vehicle (1). The data processing system (2) comprises at least one vehicle function module (3) configured to provide a function of the vehicle (1). It also comprises a control module (4) configured to provide data for the at least one vehicle function module (3). The data processing system (2) comprises an adapter module (10) participating in all data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module (3) and the control module (4). The adapter module (10) may be a software development kit and/or a software library.

Description

Data processing system and computer implemented method to organize data transmittance concerning a vehicle
DESCRIPTION:
The invention is concerned with a data processing system for a vehicle to organize data transmittance concerning the vehicle. The invention is furthermore concerned with a computer implemented method to organize data transmittance concerning a vehicle and a computer program product.
A vehicle provides typically multiple vehicle functions, for example, a driver assistance system, a comfort system, such as a multimedia system, an air- conditioning system and/or a remote locking or unlocking function of the vehicle. For each vehicle function, the vehicle preferably provides a vehicle function module configured to provide the particular vehicle function. The vehicle preferably furthermore comprises a control module configured, for example, to provide data for the vehicle function modules. The provided data is, for example, sensor data provided by a sensor device of the vehicle. There is thus data transmittance concerning the vehicle.
It is an object of the present invention to improve organization of data transmittance concerning the vehicle.
The object is accomplished by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments with convenient and non-trivial further embodiments of the invention are specified in the following description, the dependent claims and the figures. A first aspect of the invention is concerned with a data processing system for a vehicle. The vehicle may be a motor vehicle, such as a passenger vehicle, a truck, a bus and/or a motorcycle. The data processing system is configured to organize data transmittance concerning the vehicle. Data transmittance is all kind of data transfer, for example, any communication, transmittance of an electronic message and/or at least one data element affecting the vehicle.
The data processing system comprises at least one vehicle function module. The vehicle function module is configured to provide a function of the vehicle. The vehicle function module is, for example, a control unit of a driver assistance system, such as, for example, a lane assist. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle function module provides a remote locking and unlocking function of the vehicle, a software update for a vehicle software, an air-conditioning service of the vehicle and/or another vehicle application. Preferably, one vehicle function module provides only one vehicle function.
The data processing system comprises a control module. The control module is configured to provide data for the at least one vehicle function module. Therefore, the control module, for example, provides or receives sensor data, for example sensor data of a front camera of the vehicle, and provides this data for the at least one vehicle function module. If the at least one vehicle function module provides, for example, the lane assist as driver assistance system, the provided data is, for example, camera data of the front camera. The camera data comprise preferably static or moving image data of a lane on which the vehicle is driving. Data transmittance concerning the vehicle is hence, for example, transmittance of sensor data for at least one function of the vehicle within the vehicle from the control module to the respective vehicle function module.
A module in the sense of the invention is a part of a software system of the vehicle that provides a specific service. The control module and the at least one vehicle function module preferably comprise instructions, stored on at least one processing device. The instructions may be program code. The processing device may be a processor and comprises one or more microprocessors and/or one or more microcontrollers. The processing device may be an electronic control unit (ECU). It is possible that there is an individual processing device for the control module and each of preferably multiple vehicle function module. Alternatively, a common processing device provides all modules.
The invention is based on the observation that in order to communicate and/or transmit sensor data between the control module and the at least one vehicle function module it is typically necessary that instructions of the control module and instructions of the vehicle function module are both provided in a common programming language. Because if not, no communication between the at least one vehicle function module and the control module may be possible due to a missing common programming language. Therefore, a vehicle usually comprises multiple control modules each configured for a specific programming language so that there is preferably at least one control module for each programming language of instructions of the preferably multiple vehicle function modules of the vehicle. However, this requires multiple control modules and furthermore results in a less flexible software structure of the vehicle. This is due to the observation that for the implementation of a new function control module, its instructions have to be in a programming language for which a control module exists or can be provided in the vehicle. It is hence reasonable to provide a programming language independent interface between the control module and the at least one vehicle function module, so that independent of the instructions of the individual vehicle function modules only one central control module for all possible vehicle function modules is necessary in the vehicle.
The data processing system comprises an adapter module. The adapter module is in other words an interface between the control module and the at least one vehicle function module. The adapter module as interface is a component of the data processing system. The adapter module participates in all data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module and the control module. This means that, for example, if the control module provides data for a specific vehicle function module, the control module does not transmit the data directly to the respective vehicle function module but transmits it to the adapter module, which receives the data and, for example, transmits the received data to the respective vehicle function module. Data transmittance occurs hence via the adapter module. The adapter module may pass on the received data unchanged. Alternatively or additionally, it may process the received data and transmit processed data to the respective vehicle function module. The processed data may be data that is interpretable by the respective vehicle function module in case, for example, the instructions of the control module and the respective vehicle function module are written in different programming languages. In other words, the adapter module is involved in every data transmittance between the control module and the at least one and preferably multiple vehicle function modules.
The adapter module, the at least one vehicle function module and/or the control module can be comprised by one common processing device, such as a common ECU. The vehicle function module may be referred to as a function container, the control module as a vehicle container and the adapter module as an abstraction layer between the control module and the vehicle function module.
As already described above, the adapter module can provide a translation between different programming languages to organize data transmittance between the vehicle function module and the control module, meaning data transmittance concerning a vehicle. The adapter module is hence a module that converts attributes of the at least one vehicle function module to attributes of the control module so that, for example, otherwise incompatible modules can communicate and transmit data between one another. This allows for easy and quick data transmittance within for example a vehicle and hence improves data transmittance organization.
An embodiment comprises that the control module is a vehicle control module comprised by the vehicle. The control module is hence a component of the vehicle. It is preferably a central control module of the vehicle. The control module may receive sensor date from at least one sensor device of the vehicle and forward and/or process it for the at least one vehicle function module. Preferably, the vehicle control module receives data from different components of the vehicle including, for example, starting or deactivation information regarding a vehicle function and/or transmittance of status information of vehicle functions and/or vehicle devices, such as the sensor devices. Preferably, all functions of the vehicle are based on data provided by the control module or are at least partially dependent on data provided by the vehicle control module. The vehicle control module may control all data handling of the vehicle.
In other words, the vehicle control module represents a lower layer of the vehicle. The vehicle control module provides direct access to preferably all vehicle data. In this embodiment, the data processing system is completely comprised by components of the vehicle itself, meaning that both the at least one vehicle function module as well as the control module are positioned within the vehicle. This means that the data processing system is a vehicle specific system completely comprised by the vehicle. Therefore, no external communication, for example, to an external device such as an external processing unit is required to organize data transmittance concerning the vehicle. The data processing system hence optimizes data transmittance within the vehicle.
Alternatively, in an embodiment the control module is an external control module comprised by an external processing unit. In this case, the control module is, for example, located on a server unit and/or a computer outside the vehicle. The external processing unit may provide a cloud service. External means in relation to the vehicle, meaning that the external control module is a control module that is not located within the vehicle but external to the vehicle. Another vehicle may comprise the external control module. In this case, for example, the other vehicle provides data for the vehicle, more precisely for the at least one vehicle function module of the vehicle. This is, for example, reasonable if the function of the vehicle is based or depends on data provided by an external data source, meaning the external processing unit. For example, weather data and/or traffic data representing a current traffic situation in an environment of the vehicle may be provided by the external processing unit for functionality of, for example, a driver assistance system of the vehicle. Hence, data transmittance between the external control module and the respective vehicle function module is required to provide full functionality of the driver assistance system. If the vehicle function is, for example, a navigation system of the vehicle, the provided traffic data may be essential to provide a traffic jam warning within the vehicle. In this case, the external server unit and/or the other vehicle provide the traffic data and/or status data of the other vehicle. In this example, both the external server unit as well as the other vehicle are both possible external processing units, which each comprise the external control module. In other words, the external control module is configured to provide data for the vehicle and/or receive data from the at least one vehicle function module. For example, the vehicle function module may provide raw or processed camera data for the external processing unit in order to provide information on a current traffic situation in the environment of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises preferably the adapter module. Alternatively or additionally, the external processing unit and/or the external device, that comprises the external processing unit, comprises the adapter module.
In this embodiment, the data processing system is not completely located within the vehicle but is partially external to the vehicle due to the external control module. This means that the data processing system is not necessarily a vehicle intern system but allows also improved organization of data transmittance between the vehicle and the external processing unit, which comprises that external control module.
Another embodiment comprises data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module and the external control module via a communication connection between the vehicle and the external processing unit. This means that, for example, the vehicle comprises a communication connection interface. The communication connection interface provides to transmit data to the external processing unit and/or receive data from the external processing unit. The communication connection between the vehicle and the external processing unit is preferably wireless. The wireless communication connection can be based on a wireless local area network (WLAN), a Bluetooth connection and/or a mobile data network, for example, based on mobile radio standard long term evolution (LTE), long term evolution advanced (LTE-A), fifth generation (5G) or sixth generation (6G). The communication connection may be referred to as vehicle-to-vehicle communication or vehicle- to-infrastructure communication. Due to the communication connection interface, an external control module is easily includable into the data processing system.
According to a preferred embodiment, the adapter module is a software development kit (SDK). A SDK is a collection of software development tools in one installable package. Typically, a SDK facilitates the creation of applications for the vehicle, for example, by comprising a compiler, debugger and/or a software framework. The SDK can take the form of an application programming interface, for example, of an on-device library of reusable functions used to interface to a particular programming language, or it may be as complex as hardware-specific tools that can communicate with a particular embedded system. In other words, the adapter module works as an abstraction layer consisting of a SDK, which provides, for example, interfaces for communication between the control module and the vehicle function modules. The SDK is typically independent of the used platform, meaning that it can be, for example, deployed on any platform such as Linux or Mindroid. The SDK is also independent of communication protocol used. The SDK is hence a reasonable and easy-to-implement way to provide the adapter module.
Another preferred embodiment comprises that the adapter module is a software library. A software library is typically a collection of non-volatile resources used by computer programs, often for software development. A library may include configuration data, documentation, help data, message templates, pre-written code and subroutines, classes, values or type specifications. A library may be a collection of implementations of behavior, written in terms of a programming language that has a well-defined interface by which the behavior is invoked. If it is intended to write a high-level computer program, meaning instructions for a module, the library can be used to make system calls instead of implementing those system calls over again. The software library hence provides specific commands to provide, for example, communication between the vehicle function module and the control module. These specific instructions are preferably preset for each specific vehicle function module. This means that if there are multiple vehicle function modules, the software library provides at least one specific communication instruction for each vehicle function module so that the respective vehicle function module is able to communicate with the control module and vice versa. In other words, the library works as an adapter between the control module and the vehicle function module. A library is typically prewritten meaning that the adapter module as software library is typically less flexible for example in regard of implementation of new vehicle functions within the vehicle, compared to the SDK. However, using the software library is a reliable way to provide the adapter module.
In summary, the adapter module is preferably a SDK and/or a software library. In case of multiple adapter modules within the data processing system, a combination of SDKs and/or software libraries is possible.
Moreover, an embodiment comprises that the adapter module provides a communication interface for the data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module and the control module. In other words, the adapter module provides an interface for communication between the vehicle function module and the control module. If, for example, one of the functions of the vehicle requests transmittance of a specific type of data, the vehicle function module may first communicate to the control module via the adapter module the request for the specific type of data, for example, specific sensor data. Such a request, meaning the communication, comprises data transmittance since the request is provided as data. The control module may send back an answer message to the vehicle function module, for example, to inform the vehicle function module that the requested data is currently available or not available. All these communications, meaning different messages exchanged between the vehicle function module and the control module, are not directly transmitted between these two modules but are transmitted via the communication interface of the adapter module. The communication interface may provide the received message as a processed message to the receiving module, wherein the processed message is an understandable message for the receiving module. This allows quick and easy communication of messages between the vehicle function module and the control module. Furthermore, no misunderstanding between the participating modules is possible due to the communication interface of the adapter module.
Besides, an embodiment comprises that the communication interface comprises instructions to verify authenticity of the at least one vehicle function module and/or the control module. The instructions are executable by the adapter module. In other words, the adapter module can execute these instructions which serve as a check for authenticity of the participating modules meaning the control module and the at least one vehicle function module. These authenticity verifications can be based on any possible and applicable authentication process. It is, for example, possible that each data transmittance between the vehicle function module and the control module comprises an identification message or code that is, for example, unique to the concerned vehicle and/or the concerned module and is verifiable by the adapter module. This means that the adapter module does not transmit any requests for data transmittance from a not-authenticated vehicle function module to the control module and vice versa. This provides a safety measure against possible hacker attacks on the vehicle.
According to another embodiment, the adapter module provides a data conversion interface. The data conversion interface is configured to format data transmitted between the at least one vehicle function module and the control module. In other words, the vehicle function module only receives aggregated data from the control module. The aggregated data are in a service interpretable format. This format is hence a format readable and interpretable by the vehicle function module or the control module, respectively. The data conversion interface is preferably applicable to all data transmittance between the control module and the vehicle function module. It is, for example, possible that a specific function of the vehicle requires a specific format of sensor data. In this case, the adapter module formats the sensor data received from the control module and transmits the formatted and hence processed sensor data to the vehicle function module. Therefore, all data received by the vehicle function module is already in the required format. This reduces an amount of instructions provided by each vehicle function module since data formatting instructions are not necessary any more.
Furthermore, in embodiment the data conversion interface is configured to format data by applying a format requirement algorithm to the data. The data to which the format requirement algorithm is applied are data sent from the control module to the adapter module. In case the vehicle function module provides data for the control module, it is possible to apply the format requirement algorithm to data transmitted by the vehicle function module to the adapter module. The format requirement algorithm comprises instructions. It particularly depends on a format requirement of the at least one vehicle function module. In other words, usually the vehicle function module sets a format requirement meaning it requests data in a specific format. This means that the format requirement algorithm is typically different for each vehicle function module in case the data processing system comprises multiple vehicle function modules. The instructions of the format requirement algorithm specify, for example, the required data format and/or a calculation process to change the format of data from a current format to the required format.
The data conversion interface may be, for example, a protocol buffer such as protobuf. The data conversion interface is preferably configured to serialize structured data, preferably provided by the control unit. Due to the data conversion interface of the adapter module, vehicle data is provided for the vehicle function module, which is preferably directly usable by the specific function of the vehicle due to the already performed data formatting. Therefore, the adapter module facilitates data provision concerning the vehicle function. Another embodiment comprises that the adapter module provides a language conversion interface. The language conversion interface is configured to translate between programming languages if the programming language of the at least one vehicle function module differs from the programming language of the vehicle control module. For example, the instructions of a specific vehicle function module are in the programming language C++ whereas the instructions of the control module are, for example, in the programming language Java. These two modules are hence not able to communicate directly with one another due to the different programming languages. However, the language conversion interface of the adapter module may translate all communications between the vehicle function module and the control module for the respective other module. In other words, the adapter module provides language wrappers for all modules, which are written in different programming languages. The adapter module itself is language independent due to the provided language conversion interface.
This means that, for example, one centralized control module is sufficient to provide data for all vehicle function modules because the language conversion interface solves any communication and data transfer problems arising due to inconsistent use of programming languages within the data processing system. This reduces the number of necessary control modules within the vehicle. Therefore, such a data processing system is particularly low in production cost and time.
According to another embodiment, the data processing system comprises multiple vehicle function modules but only one adapter module. The one adapter module is accessible by all multiple vehicle function modules. In other words, a dynamic adapter module is provided which comprises, for example, the communication interface, the data conversion interface and/or the language conversion interface for all of multiple vehicle function modules of the vehicle so that each of these vehicle function modules can communicate with and/or receive for example sensor data from the control module. This facilitates data transmittance concerning the vehicle enormously. For example, less memory is needed to provide the adapter module. This also allows for easy update functions because only one update is necessary to update the adapter module for all vehicle function modules. However, if the adapter module is updated also all vehicle function modules typically have to be updated as well to provide continuous functionality of the data transmittance via the updated adapter module. However, if, for example, an error in the adapter module arises, this error affects all data transmittance concerning the vehicle. This means that, for example, an error in the adapter module can result in functional incapacity of all functions of the vehicle because the one adapter module, that is currently faulty, participates in all data transmittance.
Alternatively, an embodiment comprises that the data processing system comprises multiple vehicle function modules. However, the data processing system provides a respective adapter module for each of the multiple vehicle function modules. A number of vehicle function modules is preferably a number of adapter modules of the data processing system. In this case, a static adapter module is provided. In other words, each vehicle function module comprises a vehicle function module specific adapter module. This means that every vehicle function has its own SDK or software library in order to provide the communication interface, the data conversion interface and/or the language conversion interface. If, for example, the instructions of one vehicle function module remain in an old software version although the instructions of another vehicle function have been updated, this has no impact on the functionality of this vehicle function module with the old software version because of its individual adapter module that, for example, has as well not been updated. However, another vehicle function module with another adapter module may be updated independently so that in multiple software stages of, for example, instructions of the adapter module can be comprised by the data processing system. Therefore, an individual update procedure and timeline is possible for every vehicle function module. This result in a particular flexible and adaptable data processing system. However, this embodiment also results in high requirements for memory since multiple adapter modules have to be stored within the data processing system. Furthermore, an embodiment comprises that the vehicle control module is configured to receive data from at least one data source. The data source is particularly a sensor device of the vehicle and/or an external processing unit, meaning an external device such as an external server unit and/or another vehicle. In other words, the control module provides different kind of data, particularly depending on the data requirement of the specific vehicle function module. It is hence possible that the control module, for example, is designed as the vehicle control module but still receives data from the external control module, which is then further provided for the vehicle function modules. Typically, the vehicle control module receives sensor data from vehicle sensors, meaning the sensor devices of the vehicle, and provides the respective sensor data, which are vehicle internal data, to the respective vehicle function module. In case of the external control module, the functions of the vehicle may be referred to as internet-of-things services of the vehicle.
According to a further embodiment, the adapter module comprises prioritizing instructions to organize data transmittance in case multiple transmittance events between multiple vehicle function modules and the control module occur. This means that the adapter module is configured to prioritize data flow between the modules. In other words, the control module can, for example, comprise instructions and/or a software program to decide, for example, in case of multiple simultaneous requests from individual vehicle function modules which of these vehicle function module receives, for example, data first, if not all vehicle function modules may receive data simultaneously. In other words, the adapter module can have complete control of, for example, messages exchanged between the vehicle function module and the control module. There is hence no unnecessary communication information sharing between the control module and the vehicle function module. This means that although only one central control module is required to provide data for all the multiple vehicle function modules there is still sufficient organization of data transmittance provided due to the prioritizing instructions so that smooth and trouble-free data transmittance concerning the vehicle is possible. Another aspect of the invention is concerned with a computer implemented method to organize data transmittance concerning a vehicle. The computer implemented method is performed by a data processing system as already described. This means that the data processing system comprises at least one vehicle function module configured to provide a function of the vehicle and a control module configured to provide data for the at least one vehicle function module. Besides, the data processing system comprises an adapter module. The method comprises the following steps: Transmitting data from the at least one vehicle function module and/or the control module to the adapter module of the data processing system. The data is intended for transmission to the control module or the at least one vehicle function module, respectively. For example, the at least one vehicle function module transmits a request signal as data to the adapter module wherein the transmitted data is intended for the control module. Alternatively or additionally, the control module transmits specific data, for example, sensor data from the front camera of the vehicle, to the adapter module, which is configured to transmit the data to one of the vehicle function modules.
Another step comprises transmitting the data in an unchanged and/or processed state to the intended module by the adapter module. This means that, for example, the data intended for the control module are simply further transmitted by the adapter module to the control module. Alternatively or additionally, the adapter module may process received sensor data so that processed data are transmitted from the adapter module to the respective vehicle function module. In other words, the computer implemented method is a method configured to be executed by the above described data processing system. Embodiments as well as combinations of embodiments of the described data processing system are embodiments of the computer implemented method, if applicable.
A further aspect of the invention is concerned with a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a data processing system as described above cause the data processing system to carry out the method as described above. The computer program product is preferably stored, for example, in a memory of the vehicle and/or the external device. Embodiments and combination of embodiments of the data processing system are as well embodiments of the computer program product. The computer program product is preferably a computer program.
The invention also comprises embodiments that provide features which afford additional technical advantages.
The invention also comprises the combinations of the features of the different embodiments.
In the following an exemplary implementation of the invention is described. The figures show:
Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the vehicle with a data processing system with a dynamic adapter module; and
Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a data processing system with a static adapter module.
The embodiment explained in the following is a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, in the embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention which are to be considered independently of each other and which each develop the invention also independently of each other and thereby are also to be regarded as a component of the invention in individual manner or in another than the shown combination. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.
In the figures identical reference signs indicate elements that provide the same function. Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 and a data processing system 2 for the vehicle 1 . The data processing system 2 is configured to organize data transmittance concerning the vehicle 1 .
Data processing system 2 comprises at least one vehicle function module 3. In this example, the data processing system 2 comprises three vehicle function modules 3. Each vehicle function module 3 is configured to provide a function of the vehicle 1 . Such a function of the vehicle 1 is, for example, a remote locking and unlocking service, a software update, an air-conditioning service and/or a driver assistance system of the vehicle 1 such as a lane assist. The individual vehicle function modules 3 may alternatively be referred to as function containers of vehicle 1 .
The data processing system 2 comprises a control module 4. The control module 4 is configured to provide data for the at least one vehicle function module 3. Preferably, the control module 4 is a vehicle control module 5 comprised by the vehicle 1 itself. In this case the control module 4 can be referred to as a vehicle container, which is a lower layer of the software of the vehicle 1 . In particular, the vehicle control module 4 controls all data handling within vehicle 1 , meaning that all data captured or received within the vehicle 1 is distributed to at least one vehicle function module 3 by the control module 4, or in this example by the vehicle control module 5.
Alternatively or additionally, the control module 4 is an external control module 6 comprised by an external processing unit 7. The external processing unit is for example an external device such as a server unit, a cloud and/or an external computer. The external control module 6 is configured to provide data for the vehicle 1 and/or receive data from the at least one vehicle function module 3 in order to provide it, for example, for another vehicle. The external processing unit 7 can be comprised by another vehicle 1 (not sketched here). In this case, for example, the external control module 6 may provide sensor data of the other vehicle 1 for the at least one of the vehicle function module 3 of vehicle 1 . The vehicle 1 and/or the data processing system 2 of vehicle 1 may comprise a communication connection interface 8. Data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module 3 and the external control module 6 occurs via a communication connection 9 between the communication connection interface 8 of the vehicle 1 and the external processing unit 7. Therefore the external processing unit 7 may also comprise a communication connection interface 8 (not sketched here). The communication connection 9 is preferably wireless. The wireless communication connection can be based on a wireless local area network (WLAN), a Bluetooth connection and/or a mobile data network, for example, based on mobile radio standard long term evolution (LTE), long term evolution advanced (LTE-A), fifth generation (5G) or sixth generation (6G). The communication connection may be a vehicle-to-vehicle communication or a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.
The data processing system 2 comprises an adapter module 10. The adapter module 10 participates in all data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module 3 and the control module 4. In case of the external control module 6 as control module 4, the adapter module 10 participates in all data transmittance additionally to the communication connection interface 8. Preferably the adapter module 10 is located between the communication connection interface 8 and the respective vehicle function module 3.
The adapter module 10 is preferably either a software development kit (SDK) or a software library.
The vehicle 1 comprises a sensor device 11 . In this example, the sensor device 11 is a front camera of the vehicle 1 . Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device 11 is any other sensor, such as a Lidar, a rear camera, a side camera, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor and/or a velocity sensor. The front camera as sensor device 11 provides sensor data to the vehicle control module 5 as control module 4. The vehicle control module 5 is configured to receive data from the at least one data source, which is here the sensor device 11 of the vehicle 1 . Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle control module 5 as control module 4 can receive external data, for example provided by the external processing unit 7. This can be achieved by transmitting such data from the external processing unit 7 to the communication connection interface 8 and from the communication connection interface 8 directly to the vehicle control module 5. In this case, the external sensor data is provided for the at least one vehicle function module 3 via the vehicle control module 5. Alternatively or additionally, the external control module 6 can receive data, particularly sensor data, and provide this data to the vehicle function modules 3. The external data can be, for example, weather data and/or traffic data and/or status data of the other vehicle 1 and/or sensor data of the other vehicle 1 . Such data, for example, may be provided for a navigation system as function of the vehicle 1 , meaning for a vehicle function module 3 of the navigation system of the vehicle 1 .
The adapter module 10 comprises a communication interface 12, a data conversion interface 13 and a language conversion interface 14. The communication interface 12 comprises instructions to verify authenticity of the at least one vehicle function module 3 and/or the control module 4, wherein the instructions are executable by the adapter module 10. The communication interface 12 organizes data transmittance dealing with communication between the at least one vehicle function module 3 and the control module 4. This means that, for example, a request for data is communication between the at least one vehicle function module 3 and the control module 4.
The data conversion interface 13 is configured to format data transmitted between the at least one vehicle function module 3 and the control module 4. In case, for example, the function of the vehicle requires a specific format of data, for example, while the control module 4 typically provides respective data in another format that differs from the required format, the format of, for example, raw data provided by the control module 4 is changed according to format requirements of the vehicle function module 3. The data conversion interface 13 is hence configured to format data by applying a format requirement algorithm on the data. The format requirement algorithm particularly depends on the format requirement of the at least one vehicle function module 3. This means that all raw data provided by, for example, the sensor device 11 which is at least temporarily stored on the control module 4 can be brought into conformity with format requirements of each respective vehicle function module 3 so that no further data formatting steps are necessary to be applied by the vehicle function module 3 itself.
The language conversion interface 14 is configured to translate between programming languages if the programming language of the at least one vehicle function module 3 differs from the programming language of the control module 4. For example, if program code, meaning for example instructions, of the at least one vehicle function module 3 is written in a first programming language while the control module 4 comprises program code written in a different second programming language, the adapter module 10 may translate data, particularly messages, transmitted between the control module 4 and the at least one vehicle function module 3. The language conversion interface 14 is a language wrapper between the vehicle function module 3 and the control module 4. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide multiple control modules 4 within the vehicle 1 , for example, to allow vehicle function modules 3 in various different programming languages, since the adapter module 10 is a translator between individual programming languages.
So far, the data processing system 2 comprises multiple vehicle function modules 3 but only one adapter module 10 accessible by all multiple vehicle function modules 3. The adapter module 10 is hence a dynamic adapter module 10.
Contrarily, in Fig. 2 a static adapter module 10 is shown. Although the data processing system 2 shown in Fig. 2 provides as well multiple vehicle function modules 3, it differs from the data processing system 2 of Fig. 1 because of its multiple adapter modules 10. All adapter modules 10 are provided by the data processing system 2. To be precisely, for each of the multiple vehicle function modules 3 a respective adapter module 10 may be provided.
Furthermore, the adapter module 10 can comprise prioritizing instructions to organize data transmittance in case multiple transmittance events between multiple vehicle function modules 3 and the control module 4 occur, preferably simultaneously or in a specific time window of, for example, between one millisecond and one second.
The data processing system 2 can execute a computer implemented method. In a first step S1 of the computer implemented method data is transmitted from the at least one vehicle function module 3 to the adapter module 10 of the data processing system 2 wherein the data is intended for transmission to the control module 4. Alternatively or additionally, data is transmitted from the control module 4 via the adapter module 10 to the at least one of the vehicle function module 3. In another step S2, the data is transmitted either unchanged or processed to the intended module by the adapter module 10. This means that the data originally transmitted from the vehicle function module 3 to the adapter module 10 and intended for transmittance to the control module 4 is then further transmitted to the control module 4 by the adapter module 10. Contrarily, if the data was originally transmitted from the control module 4 to the adapter module 10 and intended for the vehicle function module 3, it is then passed on to the vehicle function module 3. In case of raw data provided by the control module 4 for the vehicle function module 3, this data is typically processed meaning that it is transmitted to the vehicle function module 3 in a processed state, for example, after having applied the format requirement algorithm to the data. This means that the data conversion interface 13 participates in the data transmittance in this example. However, if, for example, a simple request for data such as a communication message is transmitted from the vehicle function module 3 to the control module 4, this data can be transmitted in an unchanged state to the control module 4.
There is furthermore a computer program product comprising instructions according to the described method. When the program is executed by the data processing system 2, the described method is carried out.
In summary, abstraction and interfaces for internet-of-things services are provided. This is based on an abstraction layer provided between the vehicle container, meaning the control module 4, and function containers and internet- of-things services, which are here provided by the vehicle function modules 3. The abstraction layer is provided by the adapter module 10. This means the abstraction layer consists of an SDK and/or a library, which provide interfaces for communication with the control module 4. This was explained in the context of the communication interface 12 provided by the adapter module 10. The SDK and/or library as adapter module 10 furthermore provides an interface for receiving aggregated vehicle data in service-interpretable format. This is achieved by the data conversion interface 13 which can format transmitted data. The abstraction layer is also capable of prioritizing the data flow meaning that the adapter module 10 comprises the prioritizing instructions to organize data transmittance. The SDK, meaning the adapter module 10, is language independent due to the containing wrappers for all defined interfaces in different languages. Therefore, the adapter module 10 comprises the language conversion interface 14.
The abstraction aggregated interface is platform independent as the SDK could be deployed on any platform such as Linux or Mindroid. The SDK is also independent of communication protocol used. How efficient an abstraction layer, meaning the adapter module 10, depends on the use of shared abstraction layers such as shared libraries. This means that, for example, the dynamic adapter module 10 is possible. Benefit of this idea is that the SDK, meaning the adapter module 10, can have the complete control of the message being exchanged. There will not be unnecessary communication or information sharing between the vehicle 1 and the services, meaning the vehicle function modules 3. The adapter module 10 can also check the authenticity of each service meaning of each vehicle function module 3 as well as the control module 4. This idea can also be improved by having an abstraction layer, meaning an adapter module 10, between internet-of-things services, here provided by the vehicle function modules 3, and, for example, a cloud, here represented by the external processing unit 7. Preferably, the dynamic adapter module 10 is chosen. This is because in this case remote updates only have to be performed once and are easy to maintain but development and resource sharing might be complicated compared to the static adapter module 10. Vehicle data is also protected from outside attacks meaning that controllability overall internet-of-things services, meaning all vehicle function modules 3, is provided since the vehicle function modules 3 do not need to know anything about the connection to the control module 4 to reduce burden over the services. This is also achieved due to the described instructions to verify authenticity.
In other words, the described data processing system 2 enables standard access for applications with a fast and reliable data exchange with the vehicle 1. The amount of data shared with a cloud, meaning the external processing unit 7, can be reduced compared to solutions without the adapter module 10.
Each vehicle function module 3, for example each internet-of-things service, collects vehicle information, meaning information provided by the control module 4, by its own. The adapter module 10 has to maintain the communication interface 12, the data conversion interface 13 as well as the authentification mechanism by itself.
REFERENCE SIGNS:
1 vehicle
2 data processing system 3 vehicle function module
4 control module
5 vehicle control module
6 external control module
7 external processing unit 8 communication connection interface
9 communication connection
10 adapter module
11 sensor device
12 communication interface 13 data conversion interface
14 language conversion interface
S1 , S2 step

Claims

24 CLAIMS:
1. A data processing system (2) for a vehicle (1 ) to organize data transmittance concerning the vehicle (1 ), wherein the data processing system (2) comprises at least one vehicle function module (3) configured to provide a function of the vehicle (1 ) and a control module (4) configured to provide data for the at least one vehicle function module (3), wherein the data processing system (2) comprises an adapter module (10) participating in all data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module (3) and the control module (4).
2. Data processing system (2) according to claim 1 , wherein the control module (4) is a vehicle control module (5) comprised by the vehicle (1 ).
3. Data processing system (2) according to claim 1 , wherein the control module (4) is an external control module (6) comprised by an external processing unit (7).
4. Data processing system (2) according to claim 3, comprising data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module (3) and the external control module (6) via a communication connection (9) between the vehicle (1 ) and the external processing unit (7).
5. Data processing system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter module (10) is a software development kit.
6. Data processing system (2) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adapter module (10) is a software library.
7. Data processing system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter module (10) provides a communication interface (12) for the data transmittance between the at least one vehicle function module (3) and the control module (4). Data processing system (2) according to claim 7, wherein the communication interface (12) comprises instructions to verify authenticity of the at least one vehicle function module (3) and/or the control module (4), wherein the instructions are executable by the adapter module (10). Data processing system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter module (10) provides a data conversion interface (13) configured to format data transmitted between the at least one vehicle function module (3) and the control module (4). Data processing system (2) according to claim 9, wherein the data conversion interface (13) is configured to format data by applying a format requirement algorithm on the data, wherein the format requirement algorithm particularly depends on a format requirement of the at least one vehicle function module (3). Data processing system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter module (10) provides a language conversion interface (14) configured to translate between programming languages, if a programming language of the at least one vehicle function module (3) differs from the programming language of the control module (4). Data processing system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising multiple vehicle function modules (3) and only one adapter module (10) accessible by all multiple vehicle function modules (3). Data processing system (2) according to any of the claims 1 to 11 , providing multiple vehicle function modules (3) and for each of the multiple vehicle function modules (3) a respective adapter module (10). Data processing system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control module (4) is configured to receive data from at least one data source, particularly a sensor device (11 ) of the vehicle (1 ) and/or an external processing unit (7). Data processing system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter module (10) comprises prioritizing instructions to organize data transmittance in case multiple transmittance events between multiple vehicle function modules (3) and the control module (4) occur. Computer implemented method to organize data transmittance concerning a vehicle (1 ) by a data processing system (2) comprising at least one vehicle function module (3) configured to provide a function of the vehicle (1 ), a control module (4) configured to provide data for the at least one vehicle function module (3) and an adapter module (10), wherein the method comprises the following steps:
- transmitting (S1 ) data from the at least one vehicle function module (3) and/or the control module (4) to the adapter module (10) of the data processing system (2), wherein the data is intended for transmission to the control module (4) or the at least one vehicle function module (3), respectively; and
- transmitting (S2) the data in an unchanged or processed state to the intended module (3, 4) by the adapter module (10). A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a data processing system (2) according to any of the claims 1 to 15, cause the data processing system (2) to carry out the method of claim 16.
PCT/EP2021/082888 2021-11-24 2021-11-24 Data processing system and computer implemented method to organize data transmittance concerning a vehicle WO2023093982A1 (en)

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