vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a main computer (1) and at least one subcomputer (2) communicatively connected to the main computer (1), wherein each subcomputer (2) is configured to execute at least one control program (3) for controlling a vehicle component to provide a vehicle functionality (4), and the main computer has an unlocking module (5) which is configured to send an unlock signal (6) to the at least one subcomputer (2) to activate or deactivate the control program (3).The vehicle according to the invention is characterized in that the unlocking module (5) comprises an event data set (7), wherein the event data set (7) contains a compilation of all generally available vehicle functionalities (4) and their respective target activation state (8), and the unlocking module (5) is configured to send the event data set (7) as an unlock signal (6) to all connected subcomputers (2), wherein each subcomputer (2) is configured to receive the event data set (7), to read at least the target activation state (8) for the vehicle functionalities (4) that can be provided by the respective subcomputer (2) from the event data set (7), and to configure the respective underlying control program (3) according to the respective target activation state (8).

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle of the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1.The variety of options for a customer in configuring a vehicle to be re-ordered is high. Thus, in addition to the basic equipment, various special equipment can be logged in, such as different motorization, transmission type, various assistance systems and the like. Different vehicle components are installed in the vehicle accordingly, which allow the different vehicle functionalities to be provided. The respective vehicle components are controlled by specifically tailored control programs. In order to be able to provide a respective vehicle functionality, a combination of hardware and software components is thus required.As vehicle functionality, the vehicle may include, for example, an adaptive high beam assistant, the ability to cast light patterns into the environment using matrix headlights, rear axle steering, increased engine power over a default mode, a navigation system, a dasham, a DAB+ radio, smartphone integration, a TV tuner, a massage seat function, differently configurable chassis settings, and the like. Some vehicle functionalities may require the installation of specific vehicle components, while other vehicle functionalities may be provided only by adapting the underlying control program. The vehicle functionalities are also referred to as "on-demand functions".Which vehicle functionalities, based on the installed vehicle components, can be used in the later operation, are specified during the vehicle production and the vehicle is correspondingly built and configured. For this purpose, the on-board electronics of the vehicle is divided into a main computer and at least one sub-computer communicatively connected to the main computer. The respective sub-computers serve to actuate the respective vehicle components, to provide the vehicle functionalities. The host computer is capable of configuring the sub-computers to provide respective vehicle functionality. For this purpose, corresponding information is stored during vehicle production by diagnostic or variant coding in a tamper-proof memory area of an activation module provided on the main computer.The activation module then provides information to the respective sub-computers via a corresponding interface, which vehicle functionalities are to be provided in each case and which are not. For this purpose, a Boolean value is sent in the form of true (active) or false (inactive). The prior art provides for interfaces that are specially adapted for the respective sub-computer to be used. In order to transmit the respective information to the various sub-computers, the main computer sends cyclic bus signals via a corresponding data line. Due to the high number of different interfaces and the need to transmit bus signals cyclically, the effort required for configuring the respective sub-computers is comparatively high. The underlying data line is accordingly highly utilized for a comparatively high period of time, which restricts the transmission of other data. The respective enable signal is function-specific, which further increases the programming effort. In addition, the respective sub-computers transmit a corresponding function-specific response signal. Thus, for each vehicle functionality, there is a specific pair of enable and response signals. The circumstance becomes even more complex, since some vehicle functionalities can be distributed to a plurality of sub-computers. Thus, for example, for the projection of light patterns into the environment, two such projection headlights are to be controlled by means of matrix headlights. In addition, a high level of programming effort is required in order to adapt existing vehicle functionalities or to implement new vehicle functionalities subsequently in the vehicle.DE 10 2020 109 379 A1 describes a method and system for automatically executing vehicle functions. The document describes the automatic execution of a plurality of vehicle functions upon the arrival of a triggering event. For example, the vehicle may self-shut off the engine, close windows, shift an automatic transmission to park, activate a parking brake, shut off ignition, open doors, and lock the vehicle lock. Such an execution routine can be used, for example, by a packet supplier. As a triggering event, the parcel supplier can, for example, actuate a special button in the vehicle, or the triggering event is automatically output by the vehicle, for example when a specific geoposition is reached. A so-called service bundles various vehicle functions to form a topic complex and makes them available via a defined interface. The service abstracts vehicle-specific hardware and / or software properties for generating and outputting corresponding control signals. Advantageously, the underlying interface is invariable, which allows standardization when using different hardware and / or software properties. This allows a universal implementation.The object of the present invention is to specify an improved vehicle which is distinguished by an efficient internal communication sequence of the underlying on-board electronics in conjunction with the provision of different vehicle functionalities.According to the invention, this object is achieved by a vehicle having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are evident from the claims dependent thereon.A vehicle of the generic type, comprising a main computer and at least one sub-computer communicatively linked to the main computer, wherein a respective sub-computer is configured to execute at least one control program for actuating a vehicle component for providing a vehicle functionality, and the main computer has an enable module configured to send an enable signal to the at least one sub-computer for activating or deactivating the control program, is further developed according to the invention in that the enable module comprises an event data record, wherein the event data record contains a compilation of all generally available vehicle functionalities and its respective desired activation state, and the enable module is configured to send the event data record as an enable signal to all linked sub-computers, wherein a respective sub-computer is configured to receive the event data record, at least the setpoint activation state for the vehicle functionalities which can be provided by the respective sub-computer from the event data record and to configure the respective underlying control program in accordance with the respective setpoint activation state.The communication scheme provided by the main computer and the sub-computers of the vehicle according to the invention is distinguished by an increased efficiency, which allows efficient use of the on-board electronics and the data line used for the communicative connection. With the aid of the event data record, standardization and thus standardization of the communication interface between the main computer and the respective sub-computers is ensured. This simplifies the programming effort for the programmers. Via the data line of the vehicle, only the event data record then has to be distributed to the sub-computers. Thus, no function-specific enabling signals have to be sent cyclically from the main computer to the sub-computers via the data line, whereby the load on the data line falls. The host computer makes the event data record available for retrieval via the data line. In general, it is possible for all sub-computers to query the event data record during the provision by the main computer. For a particularly efficient use of the data line, it is also possible that a selection of the sub-computers of the onboard electronics of the vehicle "subscribe" to the event data set, so that the read access via the data line can be further reduced. Those sub-computers which have not subscribed to the event dataset can also operate more efficiently, since the respectively available hardware resources and computing capacities are thus available for other tasks.The event dataset can be interpreted, for example, as a list or table. The generally available vehicle functionalities are then listed in the individual rows of the table. The desired activation state for the respective vehicle is stored in the respective columns. The event data record can be generated during the manufacture of the vehicle and stored in the main computer in a manner analogous to the prior art. The desired enable state contains either the entry active, inactive or unavailable. The respective sub-computers store which vehicle functionality can be provided in each case. The respective sub-computers then read out those lines of the event data record in a targeted manner which contain entries for the vehicle functionalities which can be provided by the respective sub-computer. As a result, the degree of utilization of the respective sub-computers can be reduced, which further improves the efficiency of the on-board electronics.If the respective sub-computer reads out "active" as the desired activation state, the respective control program is activated to provide the vehicle functionality. If, on the other hand, "inactive" is read out as the desired activation state, the control program is configured in such a way that the respective vehicle functionality cannot be used in the vehicle. If the respective vehicle functionality is not available on account of the physical configuration of the vehicle, that is to say on account of missing physical vehicle components, the event dataset contains the entry "Not available" for the respective vehicle functionality.The totality of the generally available vehicle functionalities is likewise defined by the vehicle manufacturer. The event data record thus contains all generally available vehicle functionalities, which enables standardization or standardization, independently of the vehicle components actually installed in the vehicle.The vehicle can be any road vehicle such as a car, truck, transporter, bus or the like. In general, it could also be a rail vehicle, watercraft, aircraft or the like.The host computer may also be referred to as a central on-board computer. Particularly preferably, the main computer is integrated into the so-called head unit or serves for providing functionalities which can be used via the head unit of the vehicle. The respective sub-computers can also be referred to as control units. The data line between the main computer and the sub-computers can be implemented wirelessly or also in a wired manner. Mixed forms are also conceivable. In addition, a wide variety of communication protocols can be used, such as CAN, FlexRay, Lin, Ethernet and the like. It is particularly preferably a CAN bus system.The activation module is formed by hardware and software components. Thus, the enable module utilizes various hardware components of the host computer, such as multiple memory elements and execution units. Software components distributed over the various hardware components can interact with one another.The event data record is sent from the main computer to the sub-computers as a function of an event, which is also referred to as "event-based".A further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention provides that the activation module is furthermore configured to transmit the event data record several times in succession during a period of time. In general, there is the possibility that individual sub-computers are used up by the main computer during the sending or provision of the event data record. In this case, the respective sub-computers cannot read out the event data record. In order to ensure a corresponding configuration of the control programs executed by the respective sub-computers, the activation module accordingly preferably sends the event data record several times in succession during the time duration. As soon as a respective sub-computer has finished the currently executed computing operation, the respective sub-computer can then pick up the event data record from the main computer. The time duration can be permanently predefined or can also be configured to have different lengths depending on different events. If, for example, the vehicle is in a state which leads to the respective sub-computers tending to be more heavily loaded, a comparatively longer period of time can be selected than in a state in which the individual sub-computers are less heavily loaded.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, a respective sub-computer is configured to transmit a query signal to the main computer and the main computer is configured to transmit the event data set at least to the sub-computer outputting the query signal as a response to the query signal. This allows the efficiency of the onboard electronics or of the communication scheme on which the onboard electronics are based to be increased even further. By transmitting the interrogation signal to the main computer, the sending or provision of the event data record can be specifically triggered by the main computer, so that the data line used is claimed for an even shorter period of time by the provision of the event data record. In particular, a sub-computer sends a query signal to the main computer if the respective sub-computer has missed the initially sent event data record, for example due to a high load.The provision of the event data set by the activation module can also be referred to in this context as a so-called "service". The event data record can also be referred to as an event or "event". The interrogation signal can then also be referred to in this context as a so-called "method".A further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention further provides that a respective sub-computer is further configured to transmit a response signal to the main computer as a response to the received event data set, wherein the response signal contains at least the vehicle functionalities which can be provided by the respective sub-computer with the respectively performed configuration of the underlying control programs. The response signal can also be referred to as a "method" in this context. By transmitting the response signal from the respective sub-computers to the main computer, it is possible to communicate to the main computer or the activation module how the respective sub-computers have reacted to the event data record. In order to confirm the successful configuration of the respective control programs for providing the respective vehicle functionalities, it is then likewise accordingly no longer necessary to transmit function-specific response signals via the data line, but rather response signals implemented according to the standard format defined by the event dataset. This further facilitates the implementation of the underlying described communication scheme.In addition to the configured vehicle functionality and configuration, the response signal may further include a category that identifies the respective client that is requesting the method.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, the main computer is further configured to resend the event data set upon each starting of the vehicle and / or activation of the onboard electronics. The respective configuration of the control programs can be stored persistently in the respective sub-computers. In individual sub-computers, however, it may not be possible to store this information persistently. By resending the event data record at each vehicle start or activation of the on-board electronics, the respective sub-computers can be reconfigured accordingly.In addition, it may be possible for vehicle components of the vehicle to be changed or exchanged, which requires reconfiguration of the respective control programs of the sub-computers. It can thus be ensured that the respective sub-computers or control programs are correctly configured at all times. The starting of the vehicle or activation of the on-board electronics is particularly suitable as an event for sending the event data record, since the use of the vehicle, and thus of the vehicle functionalities, thereby begins. The configuration of the control programs or the sub-computers at the beginning of the respective useful phase thus ensures the correct configuration, so that the respective vehicle user can use his vehicle "as ordered by the vehicle manufacturer".A further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention further provides that the main computer is further configured to receive an update data record, wherein the update data record contains changes of the event data record, and to adapt the event data record in accordance with the changes. With the aid of the update data record, an update of the event data record is thus possible. If the vehicle configuration is changed, therefore, for example, vehicle components are exchanged, new vehicle components are installed or a function throttling or function blocking is to be canceled, the event dataset stored in the vehicle can be adapted in order to be able to use the vehicle functionalities that can be provided by the changed or new vehicle components or the previously artificially restricted vehicle functionalities accordingly.The vehicle preferably comprises a telecommunication unit which is configured to receive the update data record wirelessly from a central computing device and to forward it to the main computer. In general, the update data record could be introduced into the vehicle in various ways, for example by means of an on-board diagnostic interface while the vehicle is in a workshop. However, this requires the workshop to be searched. The comfort for the vehicle user can be increased by wirelessly transmitting the update data record. The introduction of wireless updates is also referred to as an "over-the-air (OTA)" update. The central computing device can be a server or server group. The central computing device can be accessible via the Internet and in this context can also be referred to as a cloud server. The telecommunication unit can establish a connection of the on-board electronics to the Internet by mobile radio. Other wireless communication technologies are also suitable for establishing the communication connection, such as the use of Wi-Fi. The advantages of the unified interface in the form of the event data set are especially evident, as are also the initial configuration of the sub-computers or of the control programs. Thus, no individual function-specific signals need to be adapted, but a central revision of the event dataset is sufficient.A further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle further provides that a respective sub-computer is configured to receive changes for existing control programs and / or new control programs. It is thus not only possible to enable or disable existing or new vehicle functionalities after the system, but the respective underlying control programs can also be adapted per se. As a result, entirely new functionalities can be introduced into the vehicle, or existing functionalities can be modified. Thus, errors, also referred to as "bugs", security gaps can be cleared, new functionalities provided, and the like.The changes of the control programs or new control programs can be introduced into the vehicle in different ways at different times or events, analogous to the update data set. Thus, an over-the-air transmission or installation during a workshop stay is also conceivable.Further advantageous embodiments of the vehicle according to the invention also result from the exemplary embodiments which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.The following are shown: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the system architecture of the on-board electronics on which a vehicle according to the invention is based; FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the configuration of control programs according to the prior art; and FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the configuration of sub-computers according to the invention for providing vehicle functionalities.A vehicle according to the invention has the system architecture shown in highly ideal terms in FIG. 1. A main computer 1 is shown, which is communicatively connected to a plurality of sub-computers 2 via a data line, not shown in detail. In this case, sub-computers 2 can be connected directly or indirectly via further sub-computers 2 to the main computer 1. A respective sub-computer 2 is configured to execute at least one control program 3 shown in FIG. 2 for actuating a vehicle component, not shown in more detail, for providing a vehicle functionality 4 shown in FIG. 3. Depending on the configuration of the vehicle, the most varied vehicle functionalities 4 can be used or provided in the vehicle. In this case, it is necessary to configure the vehicle in such a way that the use of the respective vehicle functionalities 4 is either enabled or blocked. Thus, exactly the vehicle functionalities 4 that the respective vehicle user has acquired for his vehicle during production or during purchase should be usable. It is also possible to implement or retrofit vehicle functionalities 4 subsequently.For this purpose, the main computer 1 has an activation module 5. The activation module 5 can be connected to a plurality of sub-modules, for example three sub-modules 5.1. 5.2 and 5.3. A variant coding can be stored in submodule 5.1, for example. The submodule 5.2 forms the actual program code for executing the method steps executable by the activation module 5 or comprises the latter. The submodule 5.3 can be, for example, a memory which can be written reliably and in which, for example, the sub-computers 2 installed in the vehicle are listed, an anti-theft PIN is stored and the like.The activation module 5 comprises an event data record 7, which is distributed in the form of a service 12 to the sub-computers 2 connected to the main computer 1. In this case, a sub-computer 2 can also forward the event data record 7 to a sub-computer 2 downstream in the communication direction. The event data record 7 comprises a compilation of all generally available vehicle functionalities 4 and their respective desired activation states 8, likewise illustrated in FIG. 3, The activation module 5 is configured to send the event data record 7 as an activation signal 6 to all linked sub-computers 2. The respective sub-computers 2 are in turn configured to receive the event dataset 7, to read at least the respective setpoint activation state 8 for the vehicle functionalities 4 that can be provided by the respective sub-computer 2 from the event dataset 7 and to configure the respective underlying control program 3 according to the respective setpoint activation state 8.The service 12 may further include a polling signal 9 and a response signal 10. The interrogation signal 9 and the response signal 10 comprise a routine which is applicable by the respective sub-computers 2. Thus, a sub-computer 2 can transmit the interrogation signal 9 to the main computer 1 in order to cause the main computer 1 to transmit the event data record 7 again. In addition, after receiving the event dataset 7 and correspondingly configuring the respective control programs 3, the sub-computers 2 can transmit a respective response signal 10 back to the main computer 1 in order to inform it about the configuration carried out.The acquisition or readout of the event data set 7 by the sub-computers 2 is indicated by an arrow 101. The transmission of the response signal 10 back and the transmission of the interrogation signal 9 is indicated by an arrow 102.The event data record 7 may have been initially provided by a central computing device 11, for example during the production of the vehicle. In addition, changes can be made to event dataset 7. For this purpose, update data sets can also be distributed, in particular wirelessly, from the central computing device 11 to the main computer 1 during the useful phase of the vehicle. In this case, any further communication components, such as a telecommunication unit for connecting the main computer 1 to the Internet by mobile radio, are not shown.Reading out or manipulating the activation module 5 is also possible via a diagnostic service 13.FIG. 2 shows an enlarged representation of how the activation module 5 configures the respective control programs 3 of the sub-computers 2 to provide the respective vehicle functionalities 4 according to a procedure known from the prior art. Thus, the activation module 5 cyclically sends function-specific activation signals 6 for each control program 3. Because each pair of enable signal 6 and response signal 10 has to be developed in a function-specific manner, this is associated with a high level of programming effort. Due to the successive and cyclical transmission of the corresponding signals, the load on the data line also increases. The respective control programs 3 can be, for example, the software for controlling augmented reality navigation, a trailer maneuver assistant, a road sign recognition, a gear change program, a digital light projector or the like.FIG. 3, on the other hand, schematically shows the procedure according to the invention for the data exchange. The enabling module 5 provides the service 12 which comprises said event data set 7, interrogation signal 9 and response signal 10. Event data record 7 is distributed to the respective sub-computers 2. The data structure is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3 as a table. The generally available vehicle functionalities 4 are contained in the respective rows. The first column describes which vehicle functionality 4 is involved and thus contains a unique identifier such as a name or an ID. The second column contains the respective desired activation state 8 for the respective sub-computers 2. Since sub-computers 2 can also provide a plurality of vehicle functionalities 4, in FIG. 3 a plurality of rows of the table are partially assigned to a respective sub-computer 2. By way of example, the desired activation state 8 can assume three values. These would be, for example, 0 for "inactive", 1 for "active" and 2 for "unavailable". The event data record 7 is then distributed as an enabling signal 6 to the sub-computers 2. The respective sub-computers 2 access the entries from the table which are relevant for the respective sub-computer 2.The design of the vehicle electronics system presented here significantly facilitates the future integration of vehicle functionalities 4 to be newly implemented. Only a single data structure in the form of the event dataset 7 needs to be revised in order to integrate new vehicle functionalities 4. This implementation can be designed generically, so that no more major and above all functionality-specific adaptations are required. Ideally, changes can be made by a code generator.The communication scheme presented here allows the formation of a uniform exchange interface. This facilitates integration into the overall system and continuously increases the degree of maturity. Since only an individual event data set 7 has to be sent on an event basis, the load on the data line, in particular in the form of a bus load, can be reduced.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2020 109 379 A1

[0006]

Claims

Vehicle, comprising a main computer (1) and at least one sub-computer (2) communicatively linked to the main computer (1), wherein a respective sub-computer (2) is configured to execute at least one control program (3) for actuating a vehicle component for providing a vehicle functionality (4), and the main computer has an enable module (5) which is configured to send an enable signal (6) to the at least one sub-computer (2) for activating or deactivating the control program (3), characterized in that the enable module (5) comprises an event data record (7), wherein the event data record (7) contains a compilation of all generally available vehicle functionalities (4) and their respective desired activation state (8), and the enable module (5) is configured to send the event data record (7) as an enable signal (6) to all linked sub-computers (2), wherein a respective sub-computer (2) is configured to receive the event data set (7), to read at least the desired activation state (8) for the vehicle functionalities (4) that can be provided by the respective sub-computer (2) from the event data set (7) and to configure the respective underlying control program (3) according to the respective desired activation state (8).Vehicle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the activation module (5) is furthermore configured to transmit the event data record (7) several times in succession during a period of time.Vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a respective sub-computer (2) is configured to transmit an interrogation signal (9) to the main computer (1), and the main computer (1) is configured to transmit the event dataset (7) at least to the sub-computer (2) outputting the interrogation signal (9) as a response to the interrogation signal (9).Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a respective sub-computer (2) is furthermore configured to transmit a response signal (10) to the main computer (1) as a response to the received event data record (7), wherein the response signal (10) contains at least the vehicle functionalities (4) which can be provided by the respective sub-computer (2) and have the respectively performed configuration of the underlying control programs (3).Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the main computer (1) is furthermore configured to resend the event data record (7) on each starting of the vehicle and / or activation of the on-board electronics.Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the main computer (1) is further configured to receive an update data record, wherein the update data record contains changes of the event data record (7) and to adapt the event data record (7) according to the changes.Vehicle according to Claim 6, characterized bya telecommunication unit which is designed to receive the update data record wirelessly from a central computing device (11) and to forward it to the main computer (1).Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a respective sub-computer (2) is designed to receive changes for existing control programs (3) and / or new control programs (3).

Images