Communication module, communication system and method for communication module

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication module capable of communicating with two different devices, wherein the communication module is configured to respond to a query message from the other device on behalf of one of the two devices. The invention also relates to a communication system comprising said communication module and to a method for said communication module.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication module, a communication system, and a method for a communication module. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles typically include a communication system that includes multiple components. Among them, the communication system may include a first device that operates as a controller. The controller can be used to control a second device, which in one example is a device for a specific purpose (e.g., controlling an electric actuator). The controller may not be able to directly communicate with the second device, or conversely, the second device may not be able to directly communicate with the controller, but communication between the controller and the second device may require another device called a bridge. The bridge can be coupled to the controller such that communication can be performed between the controller and the bridge. The bridge can be coupled to the second device such that communication can be performed between the bridge and the second device. Due to the two communication connections, the controller can communicate with the second device via the bridge. The communication connection called the first communication connection between the controller and the bridge may not be permanent, but the first communication connection may be established only when needed. In a corresponding manner, the communication connection called the second communication connection between the bridge and the second device may not be permanent, but the second communication connection may be established only when needed. The establishment of the first and / or second communication connections may result in a delay in communication between the controller and the second device via the bridge. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This Summary of the Invention is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary of the Invention is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0004] Aspects of the present disclosure are defined in the appended claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication module, the communication module comprising: a first communication interface, a second communication interface, a memory, and a processing unit, wherein the first communication interface is configured to receive an instruction message according to a first communication protocol, wherein the instruction message represents a predefined reference query and a query response instruction, wherein the communication module is configured to save the reference query and the query response instruction in the memory such that the query response instruction is assigned with the reference query, wherein the second communication interface is configured to receive a query message according to a second communication protocol, wherein the query message represents a query corresponding to the reference query, wherein the processing unit is configured to control the second communication interface in response to receiving the query message such that the second communication interface transmits a command message according to the second communication protocol, wherein the command message represents the query response instruction, wherein the second communication interface is configured to receive a response message according to the second communication protocol, wherein the response message indicates that it is in response to the command message, and wherein the processing unit is configured to control the first communication interface in response to receiving the response message such that the first communication interface transmits a feedback message according to the first communication protocol, wherein the feedback message indicates receipt of the query message and / or transmission of the command message and / or receipt of the response message.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the processing unit is configured to control the first communication interface in response to receiving the instruction message such that the first communication interface transmits an acknowledgement message according to the first communication protocol, wherein the acknowledgement message indicates receipt of the instruction message.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the instruction message further represents protocol implementation data for implementing the second communication protocol, and wherein the communication module is configured to implement the second communication protocol based on the received protocol implementation data.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the processing unit is configured to control the first communication interface in response to the implementation of the second communication protocol such that the first communication interface transmits an implementation message according to the first communication protocol, wherein the implementation message indicates successful implementation of the second communication protocol.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are different protocols.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the processing unit is configured to control the second communication interface to transmit the command message without previously controlling the first communication interface to transmit a message for notifying the first device of the received query message.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the processing unit is configured to control the first communication interface to transmit a feedback message without decoding or interpreting the response message in response to receiving the response message.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the first communication interface is one communication interface in the following group of communication interfaces: Ethernet communication interface, CAN communication interface, LIN communication interface, SPI communication interface, 10BASE-T1S interface, WiFi interface, FlexRay interface, USB interface.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the second communication interface is at least one communication interface in the following group of communication interfaces: Ethernet communication interface, CAN communication interface, LIN communication interface, SPI communication interface, I2C interface, UART interface, FlexRay interface, I2S / PMD, PWM, I3C, GPIO.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system, the communication system comprising: a first device; the communication module according to any one of the first aspect or the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect; a second device, wherein the first device includes a third communication interface configured to receive and transmit messages according to the first communication protocol, wherein the first device is configured to transmit an instruction message to the first communication interface of the communication module via the third communication interface, wherein the second device includes a fourth communication interface, and wherein the second device is configured to create a query message and transmit the query message to the second communication interface of the communication module via the fourth communication interface.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the second device is configured to receive the command message via the fourth communication interface, and wherein the second device is configured to create the response message in response to receiving the command message and transmit the response message to the second communication interface of the communication module via the fourth communication interface.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the first device is a network controller.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the communication module is integrated into the second device.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for a communication module, the communication module including a first communication interface, a second communication interface, a memory, and a processing unit, wherein the method includes the following steps: a) receiving an instruction message at the first communication interface according to a first communication protocol, wherein the instruction message represents a predefined reference query and a query response instruction; b) saving the reference query and the query response instruction in the memory such that the query response instruction is assigned with the reference query; c) receiving a query message at the second communication interface according to a second communication protocol, wherein the query message represents a query corresponding to the reference query; d) in response to receiving the query message, transmitting a command message via the second communication interface according to the second communication protocol, wherein the command message represents the query response instruction; e) receiving a response message at the second communication interface according to the second communication protocol, wherein the response message indicates that it is in response to the command message; and f) in response to receiving the response message, transmitting a feedback message via the first communication interface according to the first communication protocol, wherein the feedback message indicates receipt of the query and / or transmission of the command message and / or receipt of the response message.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the instruction message may further represent protocol implementation data for implementing the second communication protocol, and wherein the method further includes the following sub-step a-b) performed between steps a) and c): a-b) implementing the second communication protocol for the second communication interface based on the received protocol implementation data.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program, the computer program including executable instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, cause the processing unit to be configured to implement the method of the third aspect and / or one or more embodiments of the third aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings only show typical embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure, such that other equally effective embodiments can be implemented. Those skilled in the art will understand the advantages of the claimed subject matter after reading this specification in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to label like elements, and wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 and 3 shows a simplified block diagram of a communication module and a communication system.

[0023] Figure 2 shows a simplified flowchart of message exchange.

[0024] Figure 4 A simplified flowchart of the method is shown. Detailed implementation

[0025] Figure 1 An embodiment of the communication module 100 is schematically shown. The communication module 100 may be configured as a single device or as an integrated unit of another device. The communication module 100 may form part of a communication system 134, which is also schematically shown in Figure 1 If the communication module 100 forms part of the communication system 134, the following explanations of the communication module 100 may apply to the communication module 100 in a similar manner. Similarly, if the communication module 100 is provided as a single device or as a unit of another device, the following explanations related to the communication system 134, especially in cases where they are related to the associated communication module 100, may also apply to the communication module 100.

[0026] The communication module 100 includes a first communication interface 102 and a second communication interface 104. The first communication interface 102 and the second communication interface 104 may be different communication interfaces 102, 104. The communication module 100 further includes a processing unit 108 and a memory 106. The processing unit 108 may be coupled to the first communication interface 102 to receive and / or transmit messages via the first communication interface 102. The processing unit 108 may be coupled to the second communication interface 104 to receive and / or send (different) messages via the second communication interface 104. The memory 106 of the communication module 100 may be configured to store messages, components of messages, and / or data. The processing unit 108 may be coupled to the memory 106 and / or be configured to store the received messages, components of the received messages, and / or data of the received messages in the memory 106. The processing unit 108 may be configured to read the stored messages, components of the stored messages, and / or data of the stored messages from the memory.

[0027] Figure 1 A communication system 134 is schematically shown. The communication system 134 includes a first device 136, a second device 138, and a communication module 100. The first device 136 may be configured as a controller, specifically as a network controller. The second device 138 may be configured as a decentralized device that can be used for a predefined purpose. The second device 138 is specifically not a controller.

[0028] The first device 136 may include a third communication interface 140. The third communication interface 140 of the first device 136 may be coupled to the first communication interface 102 of the communication module 100 via a signal connection 144 (also referred to as the first signal connection 144). The first communication interface 102 and / or the third communication interface 140 may be configured to send and / or receive messages according to a first communication protocol. The first communication protocol may be, for example, an Ethernet protocol in particular according to the 10BASE-T1S standard, or a Controller Area Network CAN protocol in particular according to classical CAN, according to CAN FD or according to CAN XL. In principle, the first communication protocol may also be a protocol other than the above two protocols.

[0029] The second device 138 may include a fourth communication interface 142. The fourth communication interface 142 of the second device 138 may be coupled to the second communication interface 104 of the communication module 100 via another signal connection 146 (also referred to as the second signal connection 146). The second communication interface 104 and / or the fourth communication interface 142 may be configured to send and / or receive messages according to a second communication protocol. The second communication protocol and the first communication protocol may be different communication protocols. For example, the second communication protocol may be a protocol according to the I2C standard, the SPI standard, the UART standard or the FlexRay standard. In principle, the second communication protocol may also be a protocol other than one of the aforementioned protocols.

[0030] Figure 2 An example of a signal flow diagram is schematically shown. The signal flow diagram schematically shows an example of message transmission between the first device 136 and the communication module 100 and message transmission between the communication module 100 and the second device 138.

[0031] The first communication interface 102 of the communication module 100 is configured to receive an instruction message 110 according to the first communication protocol. In an example, the first device 136 may be configured to send the instruction message 110 to the first communication interface 102 of the communication module 100 via the third communication interface 140, and specifically via the first signaling connection 144. The instruction message 110 represents a predefined reference query, and specifically, represents a predefined query response instruction.

[0032] For communication system 134, it may be desirable and advantageous if the second device 138 transmits a message to the communication module 100, where the message is destined for further transmission to the first device 136, i.e., the communication module 100 independently responds to the message, rather than the first device 136. To enable the communication module 100 to independently respond to the second device 138, the first device 136 may transmit the foregoing instruction message 110 to the communication module 100. If the communication module 100 receives a message from the second device 138 via the second communication interface 104, in one example, if the received message represents a query corresponding to a reference query, the communication module 100 may autonomously respond based on a predefined query response instruction. From the perspective of the second device 138, the time, referred to as the latency time, between sending a message to the communication module 100 and receiving a response from the communication module 100 can be very short. The short latency time can be specifically attributed to the fact that the first device 136 can anticipate in advance that the second device 138 may send an expected message to the communication module 100, and furthermore, which instruction to use for the response can be predetermined before the first device 136 sends the message, i.e., specifically, respond with a predefined query response instruction. Specifically, the short latency time can also be attributed to the fact that the communication module 100 does not need to perform complex arithmetic operations or analysis to respond to a query received based on the query response instruction. In one example, the communication module 100 may perform a comparison between the received query and a previously received reference query. If the query matches the previously received reference query, the communication module 100 may simply use the query response instruction to respond to the query.

[0033] It has been previously explained that the instruction message 110 represents a predefined reference query and a query response instruction. For example, the reference query may be a predefined interruption, a predefined error message, a predefined status message, a predefined data request, or a predefined request. In one example, it may be known in advance which various queries the second device 138 may send. From a set of different queries that the second device 138 may theoretically send, one or more queries may be selected to form a predefined reference query. Furthermore, before the second device 138 has sent a query from a set of different queries, the instruction that the first device 136 will use to respond to the reference query may be predetermined by the first device 136. This query may form the reference query, and the predetermined query may form the predefined query response instruction. Both the reference query and the associated query response instruction may be represented by the instruction message 110. By transmitting the instruction message 110 from the first device 136 to the communication module 100, the communication module has received the reference query and the associated query response instruction before the second device 138 has made a query corresponding to the reference query.

[0034] After the communication module 100 has received the instruction message 110 via the first communication interface 102, it is advantageous if the communication module 100 stores the reference query represented by the instruction message 110 and also the query response instruction represented by the instruction message 110. The communication module 100 is configured to store the reference query and the query response instruction in the memory 106. The reference query and the associated query response instruction may be stored in the memory 106 such that the query response instruction is associated with the reference query. In one example, the processing unit 108 may be configured to extract the reference query and the associated query response instruction from the instruction message 110. Additionally, in one example, the processing unit 108 may be configured to store the reference query and the query response instruction in the memory 106 such that the query response instruction is associated with the reference query. The processing unit 108 may also be configured to search for the reference query in the memory 106 and, if a match is found, read the query response instruction from the memory 106.

[0035] The second communication interface 104 of the communication module 100 is configured to receive a query message 116 according to a second communication protocol. The query message 116 represents a query corresponding to the reference query. The query represented by the query message 116 may be, for example, an interrupt, an error message, a status message, a data request, or a request. In one example, the query represented by the query message 116 may be one of a predefined set of different queries that the second device 138 could theoretically send.

[0036] In one example, the second device 138 is configured to generate the query message 116. Additionally, the second device 138 may be configured to transmit the query message 116 to the second communication interface 104 of the communication module 100 via the fourth communication interface 142 and, specifically, via the second signal connection 146.

[0037] As can be seen in the example from Figure 2 It is specifically contemplated that the communication module 100 receives the instruction message 110 before the communication module 100 receives the query message 116. When the communication module 100 receives the query message 116, the communication module 100 may already have stored the reference query and the query response instruction in the memory 106.

[0038] In one example, the processing unit 108 of the communication module 100 may be configured to extract the query represented by the query message 116 from the query message 116. Additionally, the processing unit 108 may search for a reference query in the memory 106 based on the extracted query until the processing unit 108 finds a reference query corresponding to the query. In the memory, the reference query may be associated with a query response instruction. In this context, in one example, the processing unit 108 of the communication module 100 may be configured to read from the memory 106 the query response instruction associated with the reference query based on the query represented by the query message.

[0039] Based on the instruction message 110 and / or based on the reference query stored in the memory 106 and the query response message also stored in the memory 106, in response to receiving the query message 116, the communication module 100 does not need to forward the query represented by the query message to the first device 136 in order to receive an instruction as a response from the first device 136. Instead of forwarding the query represented by the query message to the first device 136 and waiting for a response with a certain time delay, the communication module 100 can independently respond with a very short time delay based on the previously received instruction message 100 and / or based on the reference query and the query response instruction.

[0040] The processing unit 108 of the communication module 100 is configured to, in response to receiving the query message (and / or the query represented by the query message), control the second communication interface 104 such that the second communication interface 104 sends a command message 118 according to the second communication protocol, where the command message 118 represents the query response instruction. It is considered advantageous that the communication module 100 and / or the processing unit 108 do not have to have the ability to understand and / or decode the content of the query response instruction. For the first device 136, this ability may be limited. Therefore, the processing unit 108 can respond particularly quickly to receiving the query message (and / or the query represented by the query message) by sending the command message 118. To generate the command message 118, the processing unit 108 may read the query response instruction from the memory 106 and, based on the query response instruction, control the second communication interface 104 such that the command message 118 sent by the second communication interface 106 represents the query response instruction. From the perspective of the second device 138, the delay time between sending the query message 116 and receiving the command message 118 can be very short. In one example, the short delay time can prevent the second device 138 from waiting for the command message 118 for a long time, and in one example, prevent any additional steps from being performed while waiting.

[0041] In one example, the query represented by query message 116 can be an interruption. The interruption can indicate and / or be caused by an interruption of the operation of the second device 138. The second device 138 can be configured to receive a command message 118 via the fourth communication interface 142. In one example, the command message 118 can be transmitted from the second communication interface 104 to the fourth communication interface 142 via the second signaling connection 146. The command message 118 represents a query response instruction. The second device 138 can be configured to cancel and / or resolve the interruption of the operation and / or resume the operation of the second device 138, for example, based on the query response instruction. In another example, the device 138 can be configured to perform steps based on the query response instruction, such as steps to resolve the operation interruption.

[0042] The second communication interface 104 of the communication module 100 is configured to receive a response message 120 according to the second communication protocol, where the response message 120 indicates that the response message 120 is a response to the command message 118. In one example, the second device 138 is configured to generate the response message 120 in response to receiving the command message 118 and / or transmit the response message 120 to the second communication interface 104 of the communication module 100 via the fourth communication interface 142, specifically via the second signaling connection 146. The second device 138 can be configured to generate the response message 120 such that the response message 120 indicates that the response message 120 is a response to the command message 118. In one example, the response message 120 can indicate that the event causing the interruption has been resolved and / or that steps for resolving the interruption have been and / or are being performed.

[0043] After the communication module 100 receives the response message 120, it may be advantageous if the communication module 100 notifies the first device 136 that the instruction message 110 and / or the reference query and query response instructions from the instruction message 110 have been successfully used. In one example, the communication module 100 may be configured to send a feedback message 122 to the first device 136, where the feedback message 122 directly or indirectly indicates the successful use of the instruction message 110 and / or the successful use of the reference query and query response instructions. In this context, the processing unit 108 may be configured to control the first communication interface 102 to send the feedback message 122 according to the first communication protocol in response to sending the command message 118 and / or receiving the response message 120. The processing unit 108 may additionally be configured to control the first communication interface 102 such that the feedback message 122 indicates the receipt of the query message 116 and / or the transmission of the command message 118 and / or the receipt of the response message 120. Each message in the set of messages including the query message 116, the command message 118, and the response message 120 may directly or indirectly indicate the successful use of the instruction message 110 and / or the reference query and query response instructions. In one example, the feedback message 122 does not represent the query represented by the query message 116. In another example, the feedback message 122 does not represent the query response instruction represented by the command message 118.

[0044] In one example, the processing unit 108 may be configured to monitor the second communication interface 104 in response to sending the command message 118. Additionally, the processing unit 108 may be configured to indicate the lost response message 120 in the feedback message 122 if the processing unit 108 does not receive the response message 120 via the second communication interface within a predefined time (also referred to as the expected time).

[0045] Based on the transmission of the feedback message 122, the first device 136 at least indirectly receives information that the second device 138 has made the query represented by the query message 116. To the extent that additional actions and / or instructions other than the query response instructions are necessary and / or appropriate, the first device 136 may generate and / or execute such additional actions and / or instructions in response to the feedback message 122.

[0046] As previously explained, it may be advantageous that the communication module 100 and / or the processing unit 108 do not have to have the ability to understand and / or decode the content of the query and / or the query response instructions. In one example, the processing unit 108 is configured to control the first communication interface 102 to transmit the feedback message 122 without decoding or interpreting the response message 120 in response to receiving the response message 120. The effect is that the processing unit 108 is able to send the feedback message 122 with little time delay relative to receiving the response message 120.

[0047] It may be advantageous for the first device 136 if the communication module 100 acknowledges the received (preferably correctly received) instruction message 110. In one example, the processing unit 108 of the communication module 100 may be configured to control the first communication interface 102 in response to receiving the instruction message 110, such that the first communication interface 102 sends an acknowledgement message 124 according to the first communication protocol. The processing unit 108 may be configured to control the first communication interface 102 to generate and / or send the acknowledgement message 124, such that the acknowledgement message 124 indicates the receipt of the instruction message 110. In one example, the acknowledgement message 124 does not represent a reference query and / or does not represent a query response instruction. Accordingly, the amount of data required to generate and / or send the acknowledgement message 124 may remain small. The communication module 100 acknowledging the received instruction message 110 may support the communication module 100 being able to independently respond to the query message 116.

[0048] The communication module 100 may be configured as a separate device. In one example, the communication module 100 may generally be used in combination with a different second device 138. In one example, the communication module 100 may be used to communicate with the second device 138 via the FlexRay protocol as a second communication protocol. In another example, the communication module 100 may be used to communicate with another second device 138 via the I2C protocol as a second communication protocol. In another example, the communication module 100 may be used to communicate with another second device 138 via the SPI protocol as a second communication protocol. In another example, the communication module 100 may be used to communicate with another second device 138 via the UART protocol as a second communication protocol. In this context, it is desirable to be able to customize the ability of the second communication interface 104 to send and / or receive messages according to the second communication protocol. In one example, the instruction message 110 may also represent protocol implementation data for implementing the second communication protocol. In one example, the instruction message 110 may represent a predefined reference query, a query response instruction, and protocol implementation data. In one example, the first device 136 may be configured to generate and / or send the corresponding instruction message 110. Additionally, the communication module 100 may be configured to implement the second communication protocol based on the received protocol implementation data. Implementations may be performed by the communication module 100 such that the second communication interface 104 achieves the ability to send and / or receive messages according to the second communication protocol.

[0049] In one example, the processing unit 108 of the communication module 100 may be configured to control the first communication interface 102 to send an implementation message 126 according to the first communication protocol in response to the implementation of the second communication protocol (based on protocol implementation data), where the implementation message 126 indicates the successful implementation of the second communication protocol. Thus, the first device 136 may receive information that the communication module 100 is capable of communicating with the second device 138. The ability of the second communication module 100 to communicate with the second device 138 may allow the first device 136 to assume that the communication module 100 can successfully use the instruction message 110 and / or the reference query and query response instructions.

[0050] The instruction message 110, the query message 116, the command message 118, the response message 120, the feedback message 122, the confirmation message 124, and the implementation message 126 are specifically named accordingly only for the purpose of distinction, and each may be a different message. In a corresponding manner, for example, the reference query may also be understood as a query that is only called a reference query for the purpose of distinction. Similarly, for example, the query response instruction may also be understood as an instruction that is only called a query response instruction for the purpose of distinction.

[0051] It has been explained above that the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are preferably different protocols. For example, the first communication protocol may be a communication protocol according to the Ethernet standard, the CAN standard, the LIN standard, the FlexRay standard, the SPI standard, the USB standard, or the WiFi standard. An example of the Ethernet standard is the 10BASE-T1S standard. Examples of the CAN standard refer to classical CAN, CAN FD, or CAN XL. In one example, the first communication interface 102 is formed as one communication interface from the following group of communication interfaces: Ethernet communication interface, CAN communication interface, LIN communication interface, SPI communication interface, 10BASE-T1S interface, WiFi interface.

[0052] The second communication protocol may be (for example) a communication protocol according to the Ethernet standard, the CAN standard, the LIN standard, the SPI standard, the I2C standard, the UART standard, the USB standard, or the FlexRay standard. An example of the Ethernet standard is the 10BASE-T1S standard. Examples of the CAN standard refer to classical CAN, CAN FD, or CAN XL. In one example, the second communication interface 104 is formed as one communication interface or a group of at least one communication interface from the following group of communication interfaces: Ethernet communication interface, CAN communication interface, LIN communication interface, SPI communication interface, I2C interface, UART interface, Flexray interface, I2S / PMD, PWM, I3C, GPIO. For example, the second communication interface may be formed by one interface or two interfaces (in combination) from the aforementioned group of interfaces.

[0053] Figure 3 Another example of the communication system 134 is schematically shown. For the communication system 134, in a similar manner, reference is made to the foregoing explanations, preferred features, technical effects, and advantages as specifically explained with respect to Figure 1 and 2 the communication module 100 and / or the communication system 134.

[0054] Compared with the example of the communication system 134 of Figure 1 , the difference of the communication system 134 of Figure 3 is that the communication module 100 is integrated into the second device 138. As can be seen from Figure 3 , the second device 138 may include (another) processing unit 152. The fourth communication interface 142 may form a part of the (another) processing unit 152. Therefore, the second signal connection 146 may extend from the second communication interface 104 of the communication module 100 to the fourth communication interface 142 of the (another) processing unit 152 of the second device 138.

[0055] Figure 4 An example of the method 150 is schematically shown.

[0056] In one example, the method 150 is configured for the communication module 100, which includes a first communication interface 102, a second communication interface 104, a memory 106, and a processing unit 106. The method 150 may include the following steps:

[0057] a) Receiving an instruction message 110 at the first communication interface 102 according to a first communication protocol, where the instruction message 110 represents a predefined reference query and a query response instruction; saving the reference query and the query response instruction in the memory 106 such that the query response instruction is assigned with the reference query,

[0058] b) Receiving a query message 116 at the second communication interface 104 according to a second communication protocol, where the query message 116 represents a query corresponding to the reference query,

[0059] c) In response to receiving the query message 116, transmitting a command message 118 via the second communication interface 104 according to the second communication protocol, where the command message 118 represents the query response instruction,

[0060] d) Receiving a response message 120 at the second communication interface 104 according to the second communication protocol, where the response message 120 indicates that it is in response to the command message 118, and

[0061] e) In response to receiving the response message 120 or in response to sending the command message 118, transmit a feedback message 122 via the first communication interface 102 according to the first communication protocol, wherein the feedback message 122 indicates receipt of the query and / or transmission of the command message 118 and / or receipt of the response message 120.

[0062] For the method, reference is made in a similar manner to the advantageous explanations, preferred features, technical effects, and advantages as previously explained for the communication system 134 and / or the communication module 100.

[0063] Although the exemplary embodiments described and disclosed herein focus on the apparatus, system, and method of use thereof, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the exemplary embodiments shown herein.

[0064] The systems and methods described herein may be embodied, at least in part, by one computer program or a plurality of computer programs, which may exist in multiple forms in both an active and an inactive state in a single computer system or across multiple computer systems. For example, they may exist as a software program consisting of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code, or other formats for performing some of the steps. Any of the above formats may be embodied on a computer-readable medium in a compressed or uncompressed form, which may include storage devices and signals.

[0065] As used herein, the term "computer" refers to any electronic device that includes a processor such as, for example, a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a dedicated processor, or a microcontroller. A computer is capable of receiving data (input), capable of performing a series of predetermined operations on the data, and capable of thereby producing a result in the form of information or a signal (output). Depending on the context, the term "computer" will mean, specifically, a processor or, more generally, a processor associated with a collection of related elements housed within a single chassis or housing.

[0066] The term "processor" or "processing unit" refers to a data processing circuit, which may be a microprocessor, a coprocessor, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a central processing unit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic circuit, and / or any circuit that manipulates signals (analog or digital) based on operation instructions stored in a memory. The term "memory" refers to one storage circuit or a plurality of storage circuits, such as a read-only memory, a random access memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a static memory, a dynamic memory, a flash memory, a cache memory, and / or any circuit that stores digital information.

[0067] As used herein, a "computer-readable medium" or "storage medium" can be any component that can contain, store, transmit, propagate, or convey a computer program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A computer-readable medium can be, by way of example (but not limitation), an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium can include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-ray disc (BD), and a memory card.

[0068] It should be noted that the above embodiments have been described with reference to different subjects. Specifically, some embodiments may have been described with reference to method-type claims, while other embodiments may have been described with reference to apparatus-type claims. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate from the above that, unless otherwise specified, any combination of features related to different subjects, in particular the combination of features of method-type claims and features of apparatus-type claims, is also considered to be disclosed herein, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject.

[0069] In addition, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic. In different drawings, like or identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, it should be noted that, in order to provide a concise description of the illustrative embodiments, implementation details that are part of the routine practice of those skilled in the art may not have been described. It will be appreciated that, in the development of any such implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that this development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but would still be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art in the fields of design, fabrication, and manufacture.

[0070] Finally, it should be noted that a person skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word "a / an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The measures recited in the claims can be implemented by hardware including several distinct elements and / or by means of a suitably programmed processor. In a device claim reciting several components, several of these components can be embodied by the same piece of hardware. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not by itself indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0071] Unless otherwise stated, terms such as "first" and "second" are used arbitrarily to distinguish between the elements so described. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate a temporal or other precedence of such elements.

Claims

1. A communication module, characterized in that: include: a first communication interface, The second communication interface, Memory, and Processing unit, wherein the first communication interface is configured to receive an instruction message according to a first communication protocol, The instruction message indicates a predefined reference query and query response instruction. wherein the communication module is configured to store the reference query and the query response instruction in the memory so that the query response instruction is distributed with the reference query, wherein the second communication interface is configured to receive a query message according to a second communication protocol, wherein the query message represents a query corresponding to the reference query, wherein the processing unit is configured to control the second communication interface in response to receiving the query message so that the second communication interface transmits a command message according to the second communication protocol, wherein the command message represents the query response instruction, wherein the second communication interface is configured to receive a response message according to the second communication protocol, wherein the response message indicates that it is in response to the command message, and The processing unit is configured to control the first communication interface in response to receiving the response message or sending the command message, so that the first communication interface transmits a feedback message according to the first communication protocol, wherein the feedback message indicates that the query message has been received and / or the command message has been transmitted and / or the response message has been received.

2. The communication module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processing unit is configured to control the first communication interface in response to receiving the instruction message so that the first communication interface transmits a confirmation message according to the first communication protocol, wherein the confirmation message indicates receipt of the instruction message.

3. A communication module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The instruction message further indicates protocol implementation data for implementing the second communication protocol, and wherein the communication module is configured to implement the second communication protocol based on the received protocol implementation data.

4. The communication module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The processing unit is configured to control the first communication interface in response to the implementation of the second communication protocol such that the first communication interface transmits an implementation message according to the first communication protocol, wherein the implementation message indicates successful implementation of the second communication protocol.

5. A communication module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are different protocols.

6. A communication module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The processing unit is configured to control the second communication interface to transmit the command message without previously controlling the first communication interface to transmit a message for notifying the first device of a received query message.

7. A communication module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The processing unit is configured to, in response to receiving the response message, control the first communication interface to transmit the feedback message without decoding the response message or without interpreting the response message.

8. A communication module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The first communication interface is one of the following communication interface groups: Ethernet communication interface, CAN communication interface, LIN communication interface, SPI communication interface, 10BASE-T1S interface, WiFi interface, FlexRay interface, USB interface.

9. A communication system, characterized in that: include: a first device; a communication module according to any preceding claim; a second device, wherein the first device includes a third communication interface, the third communication interface is configured to receive and transmit messages according to the first communication protocol, wherein the first device is configured to transmit the instruction message to the first communication interface of the communication module via the third communication interface, wherein the second device includes a fourth communication interface, wherein the second device is configured to create the query message and transmit the query message to the second communication interface of the communication module via the fourth communication interface.

10. A method for a communication module, characterized in that, The communication module comprises a first communication interface, a second communication interface, a memory and a processing unit, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) receiving, at a first communication interface, an instruction message according to a first communication protocol, wherein the instruction message represents a predefined reference query and query response instruction, b) storing the reference query and the query response instruction in the memory so that the query response instruction is distributed with the reference query, c) receiving, at the second communication interface, a query message according to a second communication protocol, wherein the query message represents a query corresponding to the reference query, d) in response to receiving the query message, transmitting a command message according to the second communication protocol via the second communication interface, wherein the command message represents the query response instruction, e) receiving a response message at the second communication interface according to the second communication protocol, wherein the response message indicates that it is in response to the command message, and f) in response to receiving the response message and / or sending the command message, transmitting a feedback message via the first communication interface according to the first communication protocol, wherein the feedback message indicates receipt of the query and / or transmission of the command message and / or receipt of the response message.

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