Method and system for transmitting data packets

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transmitting data packets, in which a plurality of vehicles request respective data packets with respective different data segments from a stationary server; the invention also relates to a vehicle, a fixed server and a system for transmitting data packets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for transmitting data packets, in which method a plurality of vehicles request corresponding data packets with respectively different data segments from a stationary server. The invention also relates to a vehicle, a stationary server and a system for transmitting data packets. Background Art

[0002] Typically, a stationary server transmits data packets to multiple vehicles via a wireless network to update the software stored in the respective controllers of the vehicles. Groups of vehicles, such as vehicles from the same series, often require identical data packets. If the stationary server transmits the same data packet to each vehicle in the group, the corresponding data packets are transmitted redundantly.

[0003] To reduce redundancy in data packet transmissions to vehicles, DE 10 2017 215 710 A1 and DE 10 2019 002 164 A1 each disclose a method in which a vehicle forwards data packets received from a stationary server via a first wireless network to other vehicles via a second wireless network. This relieves the stationary server of the burden of transmitting data packets to other vehicles, which is advantageous for a variety of reasons. For example, it reduces data transmission costs and wireless network load. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for transmitting data packets, which method further reduces redundancy of the transmitted data. In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle, a stationary server and a system for transmitting data packets.

[0005] One subject of the present invention is a method for transmitting data packets, in which a plurality of vehicles request corresponding data packets with respectively different data segments from a stationary server. The stationary server is usually predetermined and can be operated, in particular, by the vehicle manufacturer.

[0006] The fixed server provides data for updating the controller of the vehicle. Specifically, the provided data can be used to update the functional software of the controller (such as navigation software) or the input data required by the functional software of the controller (such as the digital navigation map used by the navigation software).

[0007] The starting point of the method according to the invention is a plurality of different requests, which respectively relate to data packets with different data segments. In other words, in the sense of the invention, the data packet has a structure defined by the different data segments.

[0008] For example, a first data packet may include a first data segment containing first functional software and a second data segment containing input data required by the functional software. A second data packet may include a first data segment containing second functional software different from the first functional software and a second data segment containing input data of the second data segment of the first data packet.

[0009] Accordingly, the first data packet and the second data packet differ in the first data segment and are identical in the second data segment. Conversely, two different data packets may be identical in the first data segment and differ in the second data segment. In both cases, if the fixed server transmits the first and second data packets, one data segment is always redundantly transmitted.

[0010] The vehicle is a special mobile terminal. It is understood that the method can be used without problems on a portable mobile terminal (such as, for example, a smartphone, tablet or laptop).

[0011] According to the present invention, a fixed server determines each data segment requested multiple times by a specific group of vehicles, provides a non-redundant data packet containing only each of the determined data segments, and transmits the provided non-redundant data packet via a first wireless network only to specific delivery vehicles in this specific group. In other words, the fixed server does not transmit data packets containing identical data segments requested by the specific group. Instead, the fixed server forms a non-redundant data packet containing each redundantly requested data segment only once, and transmits the formed non-redundant data packet. "Multiple times" should be understood to mean at least twice.

[0012] Furthermore, the fixed server transmits the generated non-redundant data packet, and in particular each data segment contained therein, only once. By transmitting the data only once, the fixed server ensures that the non-redundant data packet is accessible to the specific vehicle group. This ensures minimally redundant data transmission for this vehicle group.

[0013] The vehicles in a particular group are generally not identical. Of course, the vehicles in a particular group may belong to the same series, or the vehicles in a particular group may be manufactured by the same manufacturer.

[0014] It should be noted that, with the aid of the method steps described above, on the one hand, vehicles in the group other than the dispatching vehicle have not yet received the non-redundant data packet, and on the other hand, at least one vehicle in the group does not receive every requested data segment. Furthermore, at least one vehicle in the group may receive an unrequested data segment.

[0015] Preferably, the specific delivery vehicle transmits the non-redundant data packet to the remaining vehicles in the specific group via the second wireless network. In this way, each vehicle in the specific group receives the non-redundant data packet. The second wireless network only needs to connect the vehicles in the specific group and can be used at a lower cost or even free of charge than the first wireless network. This avoids the cost of redundant transmissions.

[0016] Advantageously, each vehicle in a particular group identifies a difference data packet containing the corresponding requested data segments not included in the non-redundant data packet and requests the identified difference data packet from the fixed server. Requesting this difference data packet enables the vehicle to receive the data segments missing from the requested data packet. If the non-redundant data packet contains every data segment of the requested data packet, the difference data packet may be empty, i.e., contain no data segments. Of course, in this case, requesting difference data is unnecessary. If the non-redundant data packet does not contain the data segments of the requested data packet, the difference data packet may be identical to the requested data packet, i.e., contain every data segment of the requested data packet.

[0017] Advantageously, the fixed server provides each requested differential data packet and transmits each requested differential data packet to the corresponding requesting vehicle in the specific group via the first wireless network. In this way, each vehicle in the specific group receives each data segment of the corresponding requested data packet. The cost of transmitting the differential data packets cannot be avoided or reduced because the differential data packets only contain data packets that are requested exactly once by a vehicle in the specific group.

[0018] Each vehicle in the specific group may delete each unrequested data segment of the non-redundant data packet. The received non-redundant data packet may include each data segment of the requested data packet. The non-redundant data packet may not include the data segment of the requested data packet. Each data segment deleted by a vehicle in the specific group is transmitted in an unnecessary manner via the second wireless network. Transmitting the deleted data segment in an unnecessary manner is more cost-effective than redundantly transmitting the data segment via the first wireless network.

[0019] To avoid unnecessary transmission of data segments within a specific group of vehicles, the distribution vehicle can provide each remaining vehicle in the specific group with a dedicated sub-data packet containing only the data segments of the non-redundant data packet requested by the remaining vehicles. In other words, the distribution vehicle can remove each data segment not requested by the remaining vehicles from the non-redundant data packet before transmitting the non-redundant data packet to the remaining vehicles in the specific group, thereby forming a dedicated sub-data packet. If the remaining vehicles do not request a data segment from the non-redundant data packet, the dedicated sub-data packet can be empty and does not need to be transmitted.

[0020] In one embodiment, the fixed server transmits the non-redundant data packet and each difference data packet via a mobile communication network as the first wireless network.Using a mobile communication network usually incurs relatively high costs.

[0021] In another embodiment, the dispatching vehicle transmits the non-redundant data packet via a second wireless network, such as a V2X network, a WLAN network, or a Bluetooth network. This list of second wireless networks is illustrative and non-exhaustive. In particular, the second wireless network may also include fixed infrastructure access points located within the spatial area of the vehicles in a particular group. Using the second wireless network may be more cost-effective than using the first wireless network, or may be free.

[0022] Ideally, the stationary server determines a group of multiple vehicles based on the relative distances between the vehicles and the second wireless network provided by the vehicles. In short, whether a vehicle belongs to a particular group depends on its spatial distance from the group and its ability to wirelessly communicate with other vehicles in the group. The stationary server receives location data and connection information related to the second wireless network from all vehicles and determines the group based on the received location data and connection information.

[0023] The fixed server may determine the assigned vehicle based on the connection quality of the first wireless network. Higher connection quality (e.g., Quality of Service, QoS) may shorten the transmission time of non-redundant data packets. Lower connection quality may reduce the transmission cost of non-redundant data packets. When determining the assigned vehicle, the fixed server may consider transmission time and cost, particularly the trade-off between them.

[0024] It is understood that the fixed server can determine a plurality of vehicle groups. In such a practically relevant case, the method is performed in parallel for each specific group.

[0025] A further subject matter of the invention is a vehicle comprising a communication unit for communicating by means of a first wireless network and by means of a second wireless network.

[0026] According to the present invention, the vehicle is configured to perform the method according to an embodiment of the present invention together with the fixed server according to an embodiment of the present invention and other vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle can further reduce redundancy of transmitted data.

[0027] A third subject matter of the invention is a stationary server.The server comprises a communication unit for communicating by means of a wireless network (herein referred to as a first wireless network).

[0028] According to the present invention, the fixed server is configured to execute the method according to the embodiment of the present invention together with a plurality of vehicles according to the embodiment of the present invention. The fixed server can further reduce redundancy of transmitted data.

[0029] A fourth subject matter of the present invention is a system for transmitting data packets, comprising multiple vehicles and a stationary server. This type of system can be used and easily upgraded to the system according to the present invention, for example, by means of a software update. Accordingly, the present invention offers numerous potential applications.

[0030] According to the present invention, the vehicle and the fixed server are respectively designed according to the embodiments of the present invention. The system can further reduce the redundancy of transmitted data.

[0031] The significant advantage of the method according to the present invention is that it further reduces the redundancy of the transmitted data. Accordingly, the further reduction of redundancy reduces the cost of transmitting data packets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention is schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings according to embodiments and will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 A system for transmitting data packets according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic diagram shows a system 1 for transmitting data packets 300, 310, 320 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 1 for transmitting data packets 300, 310, 320 comprises a plurality of vehicles 30, 31, 32, 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a stationary server 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Each vehicle 30, 31, 32, 40 is configured to perform the method described below according to an embodiment of the present invention together with the fixed server 2 and the other vehicles 30, 31, 32, 40. The server 2 is configured to perform the method described below together with the plurality of vehicles 30, 31, 32, 40.

[0036] The system 1 as a whole is configured to execute the method described below to transmit data packets 300 , 310 , 320 .

[0037] A plurality of vehicles 30 , 31 , 32 , 40 request corresponding data packets 300 , 310 , 320 with respectively different data segments 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 from the stationary server 2 .

[0038] The fixed server 2 may determine the group 3 formed by the plurality of vehicles 30, 31, 32, 40 based on the relative distances of the vehicles 30, 31, 32, 40 and based on the second wireless network 6 provided by the vehicles 30, 31, 32, 40. For example, the fixed server 2 determines the group 3 formed by the vehicles 30, 31, 32.

[0039] The vehicle 40 does not belong to this particular group because it is too far away from the other vehicles 30 , 31 , 32 and / or cannot communicate wirelessly with the other vehicles 30 , 31 , 32 .

[0040] Stationary server 2 determines each data segment 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 requested multiple times by vehicles 30, 31, 32 of a specific group 3 and provides a non-redundant data packet 10 containing only each of the determined data segments 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. When providing non-redundant data packet 10, data packet 400 requested by vehicle 40 is not considered because vehicle 40 does not belong to specific group 3. Vehicle 40 also does not receive non-redundant data packets 10 transmitted by stationary server 2. However, vehicle 40 may belong to another group determined by stationary server 2 and participate in the method in this capacity.

[0041] Furthermore, the stationary server 2 can determine the distribution vehicle based on the connection quality of the first wireless network 5. The stationary server 2 transmits the provided non-redundant data packet 10 via the first wireless network 5 only to the specific distribution vehicle 30 in the specific group 3.

[0042] The specific distribution vehicle 30 can transmit the non-redundant data packet 10 to each of the remaining vehicles 31, 32 in the specific group 3 via the second wireless network 6. Ideally, the distribution vehicle 30 transmits the non-redundant data packet 10 via the V2X network, WLAN network, or Bluetooth network as the second wireless network 6.

[0043] Ideally, each vehicle 30, 31, 32 in the specific group 3 deletes each unrequested data segment 12, 15 from the non-redundant data packet 10. Furthermore, each vehicle 30, 31, 32 in the specific group 3 can determine a difference data packet 321 having the corresponding requested data segment 16, 17 not included in the non-redundant data packet 10, and request the determined difference data packet 321 from the fixed server 2. In the example shown, only vehicle 32 requests the difference data packet, namely, difference data packet 321.

[0044] The fixed server 2 can provide each requested difference data packet 321 and transmit it to the corresponding requesting vehicle 30, 31, 32 in the specific group 3 by means of the first wireless network 5. The fixed server 2 preferably transmits the non-redundant data packet 10 and each difference data packet 321 via the mobile communication network as the first wireless network 5.

[0045] List of reference numerals:

[0046] 1 system

[0047] 10 No redundant data packets

[0048] 11 Data segment

[0049] 12 data segments

[0050] 13 Data segment

[0051] 14 data segments

[0052] 15 data segments

[0053] 16 data segments

[0054] 17 Data segment

[0055] 2 Fixed Server

[0056] 3 groups

[0057] 30 vehicles, distribution vehicles

[0058] 300 requested data packets

[0059] 31 vehicles

[0060] 310 Requested Data Packet

[0061] 32 vehicles

[0062] 320 Requested Data Packet

[0063] 321 Differential Data Packet

[0064] 40 additional vehicles

[0065] 400 packets

[0066] 5. First Wireless Network

[0067] 6. Second wireless network

Claims

1. A method for transmitting a data packet (300, 310, 320), wherein: - a plurality of vehicles (30, 31, 32, 40) requesting corresponding data packets (300, 310, 320) having correspondingly different data segments (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) from a fixed server (2); - The fixed server (2) determines each data segment (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) requested multiple times by a specific group (3) of vehicles (30, 31, 32), provides a non-redundant data packet (10) having only each determined data segment (11, 12, 13, 14, 15), and transmits the provided non-redundant data packet (10) only to a specific distribution vehicle (30) in the specific group (3) by means of a first wireless network (5).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The specific distribution vehicle (30) transmits a non-redundant data packet (10) to each remaining vehicle (31, 32) in the specific group (3) via the second wireless network (6).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - Each vehicle (30, 31, 32) in the specific group (3) determines a difference data packet (321) having the corresponding requested data segment (16, 17) not contained in the non-redundant data packet (10), and requests the determined difference data packet (321) from the fixed server (2); The fixed server (2) provides each requested difference data packet (321) and transmits it to the corresponding requesting vehicle (30, 31, 32) in the specific group (3) by means of the first wireless network (5).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Each vehicle (30, 31, 32) in a particular group (3) deletes each unrequested data segment (12, 15) of a non-redundant data packet (10).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The fixed server (2) transmits the non-redundant data packet (10) and each difference data packet (321) via a mobile communication network as a first wireless network (5), and / or the distribution vehicle (30) transmits the non-redundant data packet (10) via a V2X network, a WLAN network, or a Bluetooth network as a second wireless network (6).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The fixed server (2) determines a group (3) formed by a plurality of vehicles (30, 31, 32, 40) based on the relative distances of the vehicles (30, 31, 32, 40) and based on a second wireless network (6) provided by the vehicles (30, 31, 32, 40).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The fixed server (2) determines the distribution vehicle according to the connection quality of the first wireless network (5).

8. A vehicle (30, 31, 32, 40) configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 together with the stationary server (2) according to claim 9 and other vehicles (30, 31, 32, 40).

9. A stationary server (2) configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 together with the vehicle (30, 31, 32, 40) according to claim 8.

10. A system (1) for transmitting data packets (300, 310, 320), comprising a plurality of vehicles (30, 31, 32, 40) according to claim 8 and a stationary server (2) according to claim 9.

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