SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-VEHICLE ADDITIONAL STORAGE

Abstract

System, comprehensive: an embedded modem with an internal memory whose size is too small to store the received data, which communicates with controllers via a vehicle bus, each controller including a working memory and an auxiliary memory, wherein the modem is programmed to to query the controllers via the bus in order to identify controllers that have available memory in the auxiliary memory, If the available memory is located in the auxiliary memory of a priority controller, the received data is sent to the priority controller via the bus, and Otherwise, if the available memory in the auxiliary memory of a subordinate controller is available, the received data should be sent to the subordinate controller via the bus. to query the controllers via the bus to confirm that the controller storing the received data is available for data storage, and to confirm that the controllers are not operating in a driving mode, and in response to the confirmation, to request the stored data via the bus and to transmit the stored data to a telematics server via a wide area network; the embedded modem is further programmed, if no available memory is found, to reduce the data to a size corresponding to the internal memory of the embedded modem.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] Aspects of the disclosure generally relate to a system and a method for in-vehicle auxiliary storage. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Some vehicles today include an embedded modem. The modem can be used to allow the vehicle to send data to remote systems over a network connection. In some cases, the modem can perform logging of vehicle information. To do this, data can be received from internal vehicle sources, stored in the modem's working memory, and then exported from the modem to the remote system (see US 2016 / 0249277A1). In other examples, the modem can receive software updates from the remote system and use these updates to adjust software, firmware, or vehicle settings.

[0003] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an in-vehicle system and a corresponding method that enables reliable and permanent storage of data, in particular larger amounts of data.

[0004] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. SUMMARY

[0005] In one or more illustrative embodiments, a system includes an embedded modem that communicates with controllers via a vehicle bus, each controller including data storage devices programmed to query the controllers over the bus to identify controllers that have available memory, and, if the available memory is located at a priority controller, to send the received data over the bus to the priority controller, and otherwise, if the available memory is located at a subordinate controller, to send the received data over the bus to the subordinate controller.

[0006] In one or more illustrative embodiments, a system includes an embedded modem that communicates with controllers via a vehicle bus, each controller including data storage devices programmed to store data on the controllers via the vehicle bus, query the controllers via the bus to confirm that the controllers storing the data are available to offload the data, and in response to the confirmation, request the stored data via the bus and transmit the stored data to a telematics server via a wide area network.

[0007] In one or more illustrative embodiments, a method includes querying via an embedded modem over a vehicle bus to identify controllers that have available memory; sending data from the embedded modem over the bus to be stored on a controller that is indicated as having available memory; and, in response to a query of the controller to be available to provide the data, requesting the stored data over the bus and transmitting the stored data over a wide area network to a telematics server. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an example system for using auxiliary memory from electronic vehicle control units to provide additional storage capacity to a vehicle's embedded modem; Fig. Figure 2 illustrates an example data stream of the embedded modem using the additional memory of the electronic control unit in the vehicle; and Fig. Figure 3 illustrates an example operation for the embedded modem using the additional memory of the ECUs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Vehicles contain embedded modems to connect to external networks. To collect diagnostic information from a vehicle, the embedded modem can store data in its data memory and transmit the stored data to a telematics server. Data transmission can occur in response to various conditions. For example, transmission can occur regularly in response to receiving a message from the telematics server or when the storage capacity is full. However, such solutions place a strain on the embedded modem's memory. Sufficient storage capacity must be available to manage all the vehicle data to be outsourced, as well as enough memory to execute the modem's core functions or other commands, such as over-the-air updates.

[0009] An enhanced embedded modem can be designed to act as a router within the vehicle network, offloading data from its own memory to available storage capacity held by other in-vehicle controllers. Specifically, the modem can communicate with these controllers to query them for information indicating available memory in the queried components. For those controllers that report available capacity in response to the query, the embedded modem can package data and send it to them to utilize their available memory. For example, the embedded modem can package the data to be offloaded for storage and send it to these controllers via various protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, high-speed controller area network (HS-CAN), etc.).

[0010] The embedded modem can also be configured to determine a target time for transmitting data to the telematics server. In doing so, the embedded modem can take into account actions performed by the vehicle. For example, if an in-vehicle control unit performs an action to support the fact that the vehicle is in a driving mode, the embedded modem can delay the transmission of data from the control unit to avoid adding a resource load to the control unit.

[0011] In cases where no components have available memory, or where insufficient memory is available, the embedded modem can also be configured to store a subset of the data, rather than all of it, that is to be sent to the telematics server. For example, the embedded modem can perform diagnostic data mitigation or restrict the offloading of low-priority data. Further details are discussed in detail herein.

[0012] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an example system 100 for using auxiliary memory 120 of electronic vehicle control units (ECUs) 104 to provide additional storage capacity to an embedded modem 108 of a vehicle 102. The system 100 includes a vehicle 102, which has a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) 104 that communicate with each other and with an embedded modem 108 via one or more vehicle buses 106. The embedded modem 108 includes memory 116 for managing data (e.g., diagnostic data 126, a priority list 128, software updates, etc.), a processor 114, working memory 118, and a transceiver 124. The ECUs 104 can each contain a quantity of auxiliary memory 120. Using the embedded modem 108, the vehicle 102 can communicate with one or more telematics servers 136 via a wide area network 112. While an example system 100 in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the illustrated example components are not intended to be restrictive. In fact, the system can have 100 more or fewer components, and additional or alternative components and / or implementations can be used.

[0013] Vehicle 102 can encompass various types of automobiles, including soft-roaders (crossover utility vehicles - CUVs), off-road vehicles (sport utility vehicles - SUVs), trucks, recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, aircraft, or other mobile machinery used for transporting people or goods. In many cases, Vehicle 102 can be powered by an internal combustion engine. Alternatively, Vehicle 102 can be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), powered by both an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, such as a series hybrid electric vehicle (SHEV), a parallel hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a parallel / series hybrid electric vehicle (PSHEV).Since the type and configuration of Vehicle 102 can vary, its capabilities can also vary accordingly. Like some other options, Vehicle 102 can have different capabilities in terms of passenger capacity, towing capacity, and storage volume.

[0014] The vehicle 102 can contain a variety of ECUs 104 designed to perform and manage different vehicle 102 functions under the influence of the vehicle battery and / or the vehicle powertrain. The ECUs 104 can be computing devices containing hardware processors designed to execute software and / or firmware to perform the operations of the ECUs 104 discussed herein. As illustrated in the example, the ECUs 104 are represented by individual ECUs 104-A through 104-G. However, the vehicle ECUs 104 can share physical hardware, firmware, and / or software, so the functions of several ECUs 104 can be combined into a single ECU 104, and the functions of such different ECUs 104 can be distributed across a variety of ECUs 104.

[0015] Some non-restrictive vehicle ECUs 104 that may be included within the vehicle 102 include: a powertrain control ECU 104-A, which may be designed to provide control of the engine operating components; a body control ECU 104-B, which may be designed to manage various performance control functions, such as exterior lighting, interior lighting, keyless entry, remote start, and checking the status of access points; a brake control ECU 104-C, which may be designed to provide control of the brake and / or stability control components; a power steering control ECU 104-D, which may be designed to provide control of electronic or pneumatic power steering assistance and / or drift compensation functions; and a climate control ECU 104-E, which may be designed to control heating and cooling system components (e.g., compressor clutch, blower fan, temperature sensors, etc.).) to manage the climate in the cargo area and / or passenger compartment; a Global Positioning System (GPS) ECU 104-F can be configured to provide vehicle localization information; and an Application Interface Controller 104-G can be configured to support voice command and Bluetooth interfaces for the driver and driver mobile devices, receive user input via various buttons or other controls, and provide vehicle status information to a driver or other vehicle occupants. An example Application Interface Controller 104-G can be the SYNC system provided by the Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan, USA.

[0016] The vehicle bus 106 can include various communication methods available between the vehicle ECUs 104 and between the embedded modem 108 and the vehicle ECUs 104. As some non-limiting examples, the vehicle bus 106 can include one or more vehicle control unit networks (CAN), an Ethernet network, or a media-oriented system transport (MOST) network.

[0017] The embedded modem 108 can include a radio modem or other network transceivers 110 designed to facilitate communication via the communication network 112 between the vehicle 102 and other devices of the system 100. The network 112 can include one or more interconnected communication networks, such as the Internet, a cable television distribution network, a satellite link network, a local area network, a wide area network, or a telephone network, to name just a few examples. Using the embedded modem 108, the vehicle 102 can also send outgoing data from the vehicle 102 to network destinations in the network 112 and receive incoming data to the vehicle 102 from network destinations in the network 112.

[0018] The embedded modem 108 can further include different types of computing devices to support the performance of its communication functions. For example, the embedded modem 108 can include one or more processors 114 designed to execute computer instructions and a storage medium 116 on which the computer-executable instructions and / or data can be managed. A computer-readable storage medium 116 (also called a processor-readable medium 116 or memory 116) includes a non-transitory (e.g., physical) medium involved in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer (e.g., by the processor(s) 114). In general, a processor 114 receives instructions and / or data, e.g., from the memory 116, etc., to a memory of 118 and executes the instructions using the data, thereby carrying out one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein. Computer-executable instructions can be compiled or evaluated by computer programs created using a variety of programming languages ​​and / or technologies, including, but not limited to, and either individually or in combination, Java, C, C++, C#, Fortran, Pascal, Visual Basic, Python, JavaScript, Perl, PL / SQL, etc.

[0019] Each of the ECUs 104 can also include one or more processors 114 and working memory 118 (not shown) for performing the functions of the ECUs 104 described above. In addition, each of the ECUs 104 can also include its own memory on which computer-executable instructions and / or data can be managed. These memories of the ECUs 104 may be referred to herein as auxiliary memory 120.For example, the powertrain control ECU 104-A can include an additional memory 120-A, the body control ECU 104-B can include an additional memory 120-B, the brake control ECU 104-C can include an additional memory 120-C, the power steering control ECU 104-D can include an additional memory 120-D, the climate control management ECU 104-E can include an additional memory 120-E, the global positioning system (GPS) ECU 104-F can include an additional memory 120-F, and the application interface control 104-G can include an additional memory 120-G.

[0020] The additional memory application 122 can be an application contained in the memory 116 of the embedded modem 108. The additional memory application 122 can contain instructions which, when executed by the processor 114 of the embedded modem 108, cause the embedded modem 108 to use the additional memory 120 of the ECUs 104 to provide the embedded modem 108 with additional memory capacity beyond the memory 116 of the embedded modem 108. For example, the additional memory application 122 can enable the embedded modem 108 to use the additional memory 120 to offload the storage of large amounts of diagnostic data 126 to remote telematics servers 136 or to store large software updates that are so large that they exceed the memory capacity of the memory 116.

[0021] In some examples, the embedded modem 108 may also include the priority list 128. The priority list 128 may contain identifiers or other information indicating which ECUs 104 are considered to have a higher priority for storage. In one example, the priority list 128 may contain a list of identifiers from a subset of the controllers that are preferable for the embedded modem 108 to use for storage. In another example, the priority list 128 may contain an ordered list of identifiers from a subset of the controllers in a predefined order (or predefined descending order) of priority for use by the embedded modem 108 for storage.

[0022] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates an example data stream 200 of the embedded modem 108 using the auxiliary memory 120 of the ECU 104 in the vehicle 102. In the example data stream 200, the embedded modem 108 queries the ECUs 104 for auxiliary memory 120 to store received data and stores the data on auxiliary memory 120 based on the responses to the query. When the data is ready to be swapped out, the embedded modem 108 queries the ECUs 104 holding the data to ensure that their states are suitable for data swapping. If so, the embedded modem 108 retrieves the data from the ECUs 104 and transmits the data externally. It should be noted that data stream 200 is for illustrative purposes only and the operations of data stream 200 can be performed in different sequences.For example, the operations for the different time indices can be performed simultaneously, in loops or sequences that differ from those in data stream 200.

[0023] More specifically, the embedded modem 108 determines at time index (A) whether additional memory is required. For example, the embedded modem 108 can identify that its memory 116 lacks sufficient available space to store diagnostic data 126 that is to be offloaded from the vehicle 102. Alternatively, the embedded modem 108 can always attempt to offload certain types of data or store all data, if possible, on additional memory 120 to preserve the memory 116 of the embedded modem 108 (e.g., for use when processing user commands such as door unlock commands). If additional memory is required, the data stream continues. Otherwise, the data stream terminates.

[0024] At time index (B), the embedded modem 108 queries the ECUs 104 to identify whether they have available additional memory 120. In another example, the embedded modem 108 broadcasts a message over the vehicle bus 106 requesting the ECUs 104 to respond with their available memory capacities. In yet another example, the embedded modem 108 can send messages addressed individually to specific ECUs 104.

[0025] At time index (C), the embedded modem 108 receives memory responses from the ECUs 104 via the vehicle bus 106. In one example, the memory responses can indicate the amount of memory available at the responding ECUs 104 (e.g., a number of available bytes or kilobytes). In another example, the memory responses can indicate whether memory is available or not. In such examples, the embedded modem 108 can further query the responding ECUs 104 for the size of the available memory.

[0026] At time index (D), the embedded modem 108 stores data on the ECUs 104. In one example, the embedded modem 108 sends the data for storage to the ECUs 104 via the vehicle bus 106. As one possibility, the embedded modem 108 first sends data to one of the ECUs 104, and in response to that ECU 104 indicating that it has reached the limit of its available memory, the embedded modem 108 proceeds to send the data to a second ECU 104. The embedded modem 108 can continue this process until the data is distributed.

[0027] In some examples, the embedded modem 108 can store data on the ECUs 104 based on the priority list 128. For example, using the priority list 128, certain ECUs 104 can be given a higher priority than others for storing data. As one possibility, the application interface controller 104-G can have priority over other ECUs 104. As another possibility, data can be allocated to the ECUs 104 according to the order in which they have the most available memory. For example, the ECU 104 with the most available memory can be used first, followed by the ECU 104 with the next largest amount of available memory.

[0028] At time index (E), the embedded modem 108 determines whether the data is ready to be exported from the vehicle 102. For example, the embedded modem 108 can determine whether to export the data in response to various conditions. For instance, exporting can occur regularly in response to receiving a message from the telematics server, when a certain amount of requested data has been collected, or when the data volume reaches a predefined threshold. The data stream continues when the data is ready to be exported.

[0029] At time index (F), the embedded modem 108 determines whether the ECUs 104, which store the data, are available to provide the stored data back to the embedded modem 108. In another example, the embedded modem 108 broadcasts a message over the vehicle bus 106 requesting the ECUs 104 to respond with their available storage capacity. In one example, the embedded modem 108 can send messages addressed to the specific ECUs 104 to which the embedded modem 108 has sent the data to be stored.

[0030] At time index (G), the embedded modem 108 receives availability memory responses from the ECUs 104 via the vehicle bus 106. In one example, the memory responses can indicate whether the ECUs 104 are available to send data back to the embedded modem 108. For instance, if an ECU 104 is performing an action to assist the vehicle 102, which is in a driving mode, the ECU 104 can send a response to the embedded modem 108 indicating that the ECU 104 is unavailable and that the data should be sent back to prevent adding a resource load to the ECU 104. In other examples, if the ECU 104 is available to send the data back, the ECU 104 can return a positive availability response.

[0031] At time index (H), the embedded modem 108 determines, based on availability responses, whether data transmission will continue. Accordingly, the data stream continues if the ECUs 104, which store the data, are available to return the data to the embedded modem 108.

[0032] At time index (I), the embedded modem 108 requests the data from the ECUs 104. In one example, the embedded modem 108 requests the data from the ECUs 104 in the sequence order of the data to be swapped out. This can allow the embedded modem 108 to swap out the data more easily without using the embedded modem 108's memory 116 to temporarily store the data, which then needs to be reordered before swapping.

[0033] At time index (J), the embedded modem 108 exports the data from the embedded modem 108. Accordingly, in an example, the embedded modem 108 can send the stored data to the ECUs 104 on the telematics server 130.

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates an example process 300 for the embedded modem 108 using the additional memory 120 of the ECUs 104. In an example, the process 300 can be carried out by the embedded modem 108.

[0035] In process 302, the embedded modem 108 receives diagnostic data 126. In process 304, the embedded modem 108 queries the ECUs 104 for additional memory 120, which is available to store the received diagnostic data 126.

[0036] In operation 306, the embedded modem 108 determines whether additional memory 120 is available on priority controllers. For example, the embedded modem 108 can use the priority list 128 of ECU 104 identifiers to identify whether the identifiers of the ECUs 104 that have available additional memory 120 are preferred for storage over other controllers. As one possibility, the application interface controller 104-G can be a preferred controller. If additional memory 120 is available on a priority ECU 104, the controller proceeds to operation 308. Otherwise, the controller proceeds to operation 310.

[0037] In process 308, the embedded modem 108 forwards the diagnostic data 126 to the priority ECU 104. In one example, the embedded modem 108 provides the data to the priority ECU 104 via the vehicle bus 106. After process 308, the control system transitions to process 316.

[0038] In process 310, the embedded modem 108 determines whether additional memory 120 is available on vehicle ECUs 104 other than the priority ECUs 104. If so, the control proceeds to process 312. Otherwise, the control proceeds to process 314.

[0039] In process 312, the embedded modem 108 forwards the diagnostic data 126 to the identified other vehicle ECUs 104. In one example, the embedded modem 108 provides the data via the vehicle bus 106. After process 312, the control transitions to process 316.

[0040] In process 314, the embedded modem 108 reduces the diagnostic data 126 to comply with the memory limits 116 of the embedded modem 108. For example, the embedded modem 108 can store a subset of diagnostic data 126 instead of all diagnostic data 126 to be sent to the telematics server 130. In one example, the embedded modem 108 can reduce the diagnostic data 126, perform data compression techniques, and / or limit low-priority data within the diagnostic data 126.

[0041] In process 316, the embedded modem 108 determines whether the diagnostic data 126 is complete. For example, the embedded modem 108 may decide to offload the diagnostic data 126 in response to various conditions. For instance, the embedded modem 108 may decide to offload the diagnostic data 126 periodically in response to receiving a message from the telematics server 130 or when the available memory of the embedded modem 108 and / or the ECUs 104 is full. If the embedded modem 108 determines that the diagnostic data 126 is complete, the controller proceeds to process 318. Otherwise, the controller returns to process 302 to receive additional diagnostic data 126. Alternatively, if more diagnostic data 126 remains to be placed, the controller may return to process 304 to perform another query for additional memory 120 (not shown).

[0042] In process 318, the embedded modem 108 determines whether the vehicle ECUs 104 are available to export the diagnostic data 126. For example, the embedded modem 108 can query the vehicle ECUs 104 for availability, an example discussed above with respect to time indices (F), (G), and (H) of the data stream 200. If the vehicle ECUs 104 are available, the control proceeds to process 320. Otherwise, the control remains at process 318.

[0043] In process 320, the embedded modem 108 requests the diagnostic data 126 from the vehicle ECUs 104. For example, the embedded modem 108 can request and receive the diagnostic data 126 via data stream 106, an example discussed above with respect to time indices (I) and (J) of data stream 200. The received data can be temporarily stored in the memory 116 of the embedded modem 108 for later use.

[0044] In operation 322, the embedded modem 108 transfers the data to the telematics server 130. For example, the embedded modem 108 can transmit the diagnostic data 126 to the telematics server 130 via the communication network 112 using the transceiver 124. After operation 322, process 300 ends.

[0045] Accordingly, the embedded modem 108 can query the vehicle ECUs 104 for additional memory 120 to store data, and store the data on the additional memory 120 in such a way that, when the data is ready to be transferred, the embedded modem 108 can retrieve the stored data for transmission. By using available memory capacity from other vehicle ECUs 104, the embedded modem 108 can therefore respond to data volumes that exceed the data capacity of the memory 116 of the embedded modem 108.

[0046] Deviations from the disclosed systems and methods are possible. In another example, instead of collecting diagnostic data 126, the embedded modem 108 can use the additional memory 120 of the vehicle ECUs 104 as an additional area for retrieving software updates or other files that exceed the capacity of the memory 116 of the embedded modem 108.

[0047] Computing devices described herein, such as the ECUs 104, the embedded modem 108, and the telematics server 130, generally contain computer-executable instructions, the instructions of which can be executed by one or more computing devices such as those listed above. Computer-executable instructions can be assembled or interpreted by computer programs created using a variety of programming languages ​​and / or technologies, including, but not limited to, either alone or in combination, Java™, C, C++, C#, Visual Basic, JavaScript, Perl, etc. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes these instructions, thereby carrying out one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein.Such instructions and other data can be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media.

Claims

[1] System, encompassing: an embedded modem with an internal memory whose size is too small to store the received data, which communicates with controllers via a vehicle bus, each controller including a working memory and an auxiliary memory, wherein the modem is programmed to to query the controllers via the bus in order to identify controllers that have available memory in the auxiliary memory, If the available memory is located in the auxiliary memory of a priority controller, the received data is sent to the priority controller via the bus, and Otherwise, if the available memory in the auxiliary memory of a subordinate controller is available, the received data should be sent to the subordinate controller via the bus. to query the controllers via the bus to confirm that the controller storing the received data is available for data storage, and to confirm that the controllers are not operating in a driving mode, and in response to the confirmation, to request the stored data via the bus and to transmit the stored data to a telematics server via a wide area network; the embedded modem is further programmed, if no available memory is found, to reduce the data to a size corresponding to the internal memory of the embedded modem. [2] System according to claim 1, wherein the embedded modem is further programmed to: to manage a list of identifiers of preferred controllers, and to identify a controller as one of the preferred controllers according to a controller identifier that is included in the list. [3] System according to claim 1, wherein the data are diagnostic data which are to be outsourced to a telematics server via a wide area network. [4] System according to claim 1, wherein the data is a software update received from a telematics server via a wide area network. [5] System, comprehensive: an embedded modem that communicates with controllers via a vehicle bus, each controller including a working memory and an auxiliary memory, with the modem being programmed to do so, to query the controllers via the bus in order to identify controllers that have available memory for the received data in the auxiliary memory, If the available memory is located in the auxiliary memory of a priority controller, the received data is sent via the bus to the priority controller for storage, and Otherwise, if the available memory in the auxiliary memory of a subordinate controller is available, send the data via the bus to the subordinate controller for storage. to query the controllers via the bus to confirm that the controllers storing the data are available for data retrieval, including confirming that the controllers are not operating in a driving mode and in response to the confirmation, to request the stored data via the bus and to transmit the stored data to a telematics server via a wide area network; wherein the embedded modem is further programmed, if no available memory is found and the internal memory of the embedded modem is too small to store the received data, to reduce the data to a size corresponding to the internal memory of the embedded modem. [6] System according to claim 5, wherein confirming that the controllers are available includes confirming that the controllers have available processor time to provide the data. [7] System according to claim 5, wherein the data are diagnostic data which are to be outsourced to a telematics server via a wide area network. [8] System according to claim 5, wherein the data is a software update received from a telematics server via a wide area network. [9] Procedures, comprehensive: Queries of controllers with main memory and auxiliary memory via an embedded modem over a vehicle bus to identify controllers that have available memory for the received data in the auxiliary memory; If the available memory is located in the auxiliary memory of a priority controller, the received data is sent via the bus to the priority controller for storage, and Otherwise, if the available memory in the auxiliary memory of a subordinate controller is available, send the data via the bus to the subordinate controller for storage; Query the controllers via the bus to confirm that the controllers storing the data are available for data retrieval, including confirming that the controllers are not operating in a driving mode; in response to a query from the controller, to be available, to provide the data, to request the stored data via the bus and to transmit the stored data via a wide area network to a telematics server; Furthermore, if no available storage is found, the data will be reduced to match the size of the embedded modem's internal storage. [10] Method according to claim 9, further comprising confirming that the controllers are available by querying that the controllers have available processor time to provide the data. [11] Method according to claim 9, wherein the data are diagnostic data which are to be outsourced to a telematics server via a wide area network.

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