Method and system for configuring an application to run a virtual test

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method and system for configuring at least one or a plurality of applications (A1, A2) for performing a virtual test (T) of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle, the method comprising creating (S1) an abstract, application-independent configuration (C1) of at least one artifact (10) required for the execution of the virtual test (T), generating (S2) a concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) of the at least one artifact (10) required for the execution of the virtual test (T) using the previously created abstract configuration of the at least one artifact (10), and providing (S3) the concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) of the at least one artifact (10) to one or a plurality of applications (A1, A2) for performing the virtual test (T) of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for executing a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a system for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for executing a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle. State of the art

[0003] Vehicle devices such as control units and / or vehicle functions such as driver assistance functions can be verified or validated using various testing methods. Virtual testing, in particular, can be used for this purpose.

[0004] To create virtual tests and / or simulations, sensor data obtained from test drives and / or other means is required.

[0005] Furthermore, it is necessary to pre-configure various applications to carry out a virtual test of the vehicle's functionality.

[0006] Team members working on a development project face the challenge of working with a multitude of different tools and applications that generate diverse artifacts. Typically, each tool has its own interpretation of "project data handling." In the case of desktop tools, this is typically file-based storage. In the case of server-based tools, the data is typically stored in databases. What is missing, however, is cross-product project data handling.

[0007] Consequently, there is a need to improve existing procedures for creating or configuring virtual tests to enable efficient test configuration of different tools or applications.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method which enables a plurality of applications to be configured to carry out a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle. Disclosure of the invention

[0009] The object is achieved according to the invention by a computer-implemented method for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for carrying out a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 1.

[0010] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a system for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for carrying out a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 13.

[0011] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a computer program having the features of patent claim 14 and by a computer-readable data carrier having the features of patent claim 15.

[0012] The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for executing a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle.

[0013] The method comprises creating an abstract, application-independent configuration of at least one artifact required for the test execution of the virtual test.

[0014] Furthermore, the method comprises generating a concrete, application-dependent configuration of the at least one artifact required for the test execution of the virtual test using the previously created, abstract configuration of the at least one artifact.

[0015] The method further comprises providing the specific, application-dependent configuration of the at least one artifact to one of the plurality of applications for executing the virtual test of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0016] The invention further relates to a system for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for executing a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle.

[0017] The system comprises a first calculation unit which is configured to create an abstract, application-independent configuration of at least one artifact required for the test execution of the virtual test.

[0018] Furthermore, the system comprises a second calculation unit which is configured to generate a concrete, application-dependent configuration of the at least one artifact required for the test execution of the virtual test using the previously created, abstract configuration of the at least one artifact.

[0019] The system further comprises a provision unit which is configured to provide the specific, application-dependent configuration of the at least one artifact to one of the plurality of applications for executing the virtual test of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0020] The invention further relates to a computer program with program code for carrying out the method according to the invention for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for carrying out a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle when the computer program is executed on a computer.

[0021] The invention further relates to a computer-readable data carrier with program code of a computer program in order to carry out the method according to the invention for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for carrying out a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle when the computer program is executed on a computer.

[0022] An idea of ​​the present invention is to provide an improved method for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for executing a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle, wherein a further level is introduced above tool- or application-specific projects.

[0023] Thus, there is an abstract, application-independent specification level and an application-dependent implementation level. Using the specification level, a team or user can formally specify all artifacts that are either consumed or created during development.

[0024] At this level, no application-specific details are specified, but rather abstract information. In particular, interdependencies between artifacts are also mapped. The specification level is thus based on a standardized data schema.

[0025] The implementation level is used to specify the application-specific components. No standardized data schema is used here; instead, each application can define its own schema. However, this level can also advantageously accommodate application-independent data schemas, for example, for standards such as AUTOSAR or OpenScenario.

[0026] The sensor data and / or information on their storage location obtained from test drives and / or otherwise for creating the virtual test and / or simulation can advantageously also be imported into the configuration application, so that the configuration application can access the sensor data for creating the application-dependent configuration of the at least one artifact for one of the plurality of applications for carrying out the virtual test of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle or can at least reference the sensor data, so that a storage location and access to the sensor data by the relevant application is already preconfigured by the configuration application.

[0027] Further embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the further subclaims and the following description with reference to the figures.

[0028] According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the abstract, application-independent configuration and the concrete, application-dependent configuration of the at least one artifact required for the test execution of the virtual test are carried out by a configuration application that is different from the plurality of applications for carrying out the virtual test of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0029] The use of the configuration application thus advantageously enables the provision of a meta-level which enables the configuration of a multitude of different applications for carrying out the virtual test of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0030] According to a further preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the configuration application is configured to generate a plurality of different application-dependent configurations, wherein a respective application-dependent configuration is provided to one of the plurality of applications for carrying out the virtual test of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0031] The configuration application advantageously has the respective application-dependent information required for the creation of application-specific configurations.

[0032] According to a further preferred development of the invention, it is provided that output data of a first of the plurality of applications for carrying out the virtual test of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle are transmitted to the configuration application, wherein the output data of a first application are provided by the configuration application, in particular as input data, to a second application for carrying out the virtual test of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0033] This advantageously makes it possible to avoid having to manually port data from the first application to the second application, since this functionality is provided by the configuration application.

[0034] According to a further preferred development of the invention, it is provided that a change in data of the concrete, application-dependent configuration in one of the plurality of applications for carrying out the virtual test of the vehicle function is synchronized with the version of the concrete, application-dependent configuration generated in the configuration application.

[0035] This advantageously ensures that the application data and the configuration application data are always identical. This ensures correct versioning of the relevant data, particularly with regard to cross-application data forwarding by the configuration application.

[0036] According to a further preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the artifact required for the test execution of the virtual test is created in the configuration application or a pre-created artifact is imported from a data store.

[0037] To also be able to consume files from external repositories or package managers, the schema provides dedicated object types for consuming external packages. A UI app, for example, ensures that the external files are imported so that users can access them locally.

[0038] According to a further preferred development of the invention, the artifact required for executing the virtual test is a system to be tested, a test environment, a test system, a test scenario, and / or a vehicle type to be tested. The artifact in question can thus represent all objects required for configuring the virtual test.

[0039] According to a further preferred development of the invention, the system to be tested is a vehicle sensor, in particular a camera, radar, LiDAR, and / or ultrasonic sensor, wherein the test system is a simulation model and the test environment is a HIL, SIL, and / or MIL test. Thus, versatile hardware configuration options exist for creating the virtual test.

[0040] According to a further preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the concrete, application-dependent configuration references the abstract, application-independent configuration.

[0041] To relate the objects at the two levels, an object from the implementation level can, for example, directly reference an object from the specification level. Alternatively, a dedicated assignment object can be used to make the actual objects easier to reuse.

[0042] According to a further preferred development of the invention, the specific, application-dependent configuration of the at least one artifact required for executing the virtual test is provided in a file format supported by the application for executing the virtual test of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle. The configuration application is thus advantageously capable of supporting the file formats of a multitude of different applications for creating the virtual test of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0043] According to a further preferred development of the invention, it is provided that in the abstract, application-independent configuration, dependencies between artifacts and / or requirements of a respective artifact on other artifacts are defined.

[0044] The basic structure of the artifacts or objects should be the same at both the specification and implementation levels. This means that each object has a metadata area in which a) additional user-specific information can be stored, b) requirements or demands for the environment can be formulated, and c) variant dependencies can be formulated.

[0045] According to a further preferred development of the invention, it is provided that variant information for respective artifacts is stored in the abstract, application-independent configuration and / or in the concrete, application-dependent configuration of the at least one artifact required for the test execution of the virtual test.

[0046] To ensure that applications can evolve independently of one another, there isn't a single overall schema version that all files must adhere to. Instead, each object or artifact type has its own schema version. This has the advantage for users that they can, for example, already use a newer version of an application without having to upgrade all files to a newer version.

[0047] The features of the computer-implemented method described herein for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for carrying out a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle are also applicable to the system according to the invention for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for carrying out a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle and vice versa. Short description of the drawings

[0048] For a better understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0049] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments which are shown in the schematic illustrations of the drawings.

[0050] They show: Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a computer-implemented method for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for executing a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a system for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications for performing a virtual test of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0051] Unless otherwise indicated, like reference numerals refer to like elements in the drawings. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0052] The Fig. The method shown in Figure 1 comprises creating S1 an abstract, application-independent configuration C1 of at least one artifact 10 required for the test execution of the virtual test T.

[0053] Furthermore, the method comprises generating S2 a concrete, application-dependent configuration C2 of the at least one artifact 10 required for the test execution of the virtual test T using the previously created, abstract configuration of the at least one artifact 10.

[0054] The method further comprises providing S3 the concrete, application-dependent configuration C2 of the at least one artifact 10 to one of the plurality of applications A1, A2 for executing the virtual test T of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0055] The abstract, application-independent configuration C1 and the concrete, application-dependent configuration C2 of the at least one artifact 10 required for the test execution of the virtual test T are carried out by a configuration application 12 that is different from the plurality of applications A1, A2 for executing the virtual test T of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0056] The configuration application 12 is further configured to generate a plurality of different application-dependent configurations C2. A respective application-dependent configuration C2 is provided to one of the plurality of applications A1, A2 for executing the virtual test T of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0057] Furthermore, output data D1 of a first of the plurality of applications A1, A2 for executing the virtual test T of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle is transmitted to the configuration application 12. The output data D1 of a first application is provided by the configuration application 12, in particular as input data, to a second application A2 for executing the virtual test T of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0058] A change in data of the concrete, application-dependent configuration C2 in one of the plurality of applications A1, A2 for executing the virtual test T of the vehicle function is further synchronized with the version of the concrete, application-dependent configuration C2 generated in the configuration application 12.

[0059] The artifact 10 required for executing the virtual test T is also created in the configuration application 12, or a pre-created artifact 10 is imported from a data store 14. The artifact 10 required for executing the virtual test T is, for example, a system to be tested 16, a test environment 18, a test system 20, a test scenario 22, and / or a vehicle type 24 to be tested.

[0060] The system 16 to be tested is, for example, a vehicle sensor, in particular a camera, radar, LiDAR, and / or ultrasonic sensor. The test system 20 is, for example, a simulation model, and the test environment 18 is, for example, a HIL, SIL, and / or MIL test.

[0061] The concrete, application-dependent configuration C2 also references the abstract, application-independent configuration C1.

[0062] The concrete, application-dependent configuration C2 of the at least one artifact 10 required for the test execution of the virtual test T is provided in a file format supported by the application A1, A2 for executing the virtual test T of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0063] In the abstract, application-independent configuration C1, dependencies between artifacts 10 and / or requirements of a respective artifact 10 on other artifacts are also defined.

[0064] For respective artifacts 10, variant information is stored in the abstract, application-independent configuration C1 and / or in the concrete, application-dependent configuration C2 of the at least one artifact 10 required for the test execution of the virtual test T.

[0065] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a system 1 for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications A1, A2 for executing a virtual test T of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0066] The system 1 comprises a first calculation unit 26, which is configured to create an abstract, application-independent configuration C1 of at least one artifact 10 required for the test execution of the virtual test T.

[0067] Furthermore, the system 1 comprises a second calculation unit 28, which is configured to generate a concrete, application-dependent configuration C2 of the at least one artifact 10 required for the test execution of the virtual test T using the previously created, abstract configuration of the at least one artifact 10.

[0068] Furthermore, the system 1 comprises a provision unit 30 which is configured to provide the concrete, application-dependent configuration C2 of the at least one artifact 10 to one of the plurality of applications A1, A2 for executing the virtual test T of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

[0069] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous alternative and / or equivalent implementations exist. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way.

[0070] Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide one skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes in the functionality and arrangement of elements may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0071] In general, this application is intended to cover modifications, adaptations, or variations of the embodiments presented herein. For example, the order of the method steps may be changed. Furthermore, the method may be performed, at least in part, sequentially or in parallel. List of reference symbols 1 system 10 Artifact 12 Configuration application 14 data storage 16 system to be tested 18 Test environment 20 test system 22 Test scenario 24 vehicle types to be tested 26 first calculation unit 28 second calculation unit 30 Provisioning Unit A1, A2 application C1 application-independent configuration C2 application-dependent configuration D1 Output data T virtual test S1-S3 process steps

Claims

[1] Computer-implemented method for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications (A1, A2) for carrying out a virtual test (T) of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps: Creating (S1) an abstract, application-independent configuration (C1) of at least one artifact (10) required for the test execution of the virtual test (T); Generating (S2) a concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) of the at least one artifact (10) required for the test execution of the virtual test (T) using the previously created, abstract configuration of the at least one artifact (10); and Providing (S3) the concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) of the at least one artifact (10) to one of the plurality of applications (A1, A2) for executing the virtual test (T) of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle. [2] Computer-implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the abstract, application-independent configuration (C1) and the concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) of the at least one artifact (10) required for the test execution of the virtual test (T) are carried out by a configuration application (12) different from the plurality of applications (A1, A2) for executing the virtual test (T) of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle. [3] Computer-implemented method according to claim 2, wherein the configuration application (12) is configured to generate a plurality of different application-dependent configurations (C2), wherein a respective application-dependent configuration (C2) is provided to one of the plurality of applications (A1, A2) for executing the virtual test (T) of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle. [4] Computer-implemented method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein output data (D1) of a first of the plurality of applications (A1, A2) for carrying out the virtual test (T) of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle are transmitted to the configuration application (12), wherein the output data (D1) of a first application A1 are provided by the configuration application (12), in particular as input data, to a second application A2 for carrying out the virtual test (T) of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle. [5] Computer-implemented method according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a change in data of the concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) in one of the plurality of applications (A1, A2) for executing the virtual test (T) of the vehicle function is synchronized with the version of the concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) generated in the configuration application (12). [6] Computer-implemented method according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the artifact (10) required for the test execution of the virtual test (T) is created in the configuration application (12) or a pre-created artifact (10) is imported from a data store (14). [7] Computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the artifact (10) required for the test execution of the virtual test (T) is a system to be tested (16), a test environment (18), a test system (20), a test scenario (22) and / or a vehicle type to be tested (24). [8] Computer-implemented method according to claim 7, wherein the system to be tested (16) is a vehicle sensor, in particular a camera, radar, LiDAR, and / or ultrasonic sensor, wherein the test system (20) is a simulation model and wherein the test environment (18) is a HIL, SIL, and / or MIL test. [9] Computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) references the abstract, application-independent configuration (C1). [10] Computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) of the at least one artifact (10) required for the test execution of the virtual test (T) is provided in a file format supported by the application (A1, A2) for executing the virtual test (T) of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle. [11] Computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the abstract, application-independent configuration (C1) dependencies between artifacts (10) and / or requirements of a respective artifact (10) to other artifacts (10) are defined. [12] Computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein variant information for respective artifacts (10) is stored in the abstract, application-independent configuration (C1) and / or in the concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) of the at least one artifact (10) required for the test execution of the virtual test (T). [13] System (1) for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications (A1, A2) for executing a virtual test (T) of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle, comprising: a first calculation unit (26) which is arranged to generate an abstract, to create an application-independent configuration (C1) of at least one artifact (10) required for the test execution of the virtual test (T); a second calculation unit (28) which is designed to calculate a specific, to generate an application-dependent configuration (C2) of the at least one artifact (10) required for the test execution of the virtual test (T) using the previously created, abstract configuration of the at least one artifact (10); and a provision unit (30) which is configured to provide the concrete, application-dependent configuration (C2) of the at least one artifact (10) to one of the plurality of applications (A1, A2) for executing the virtual test (T) of the vehicle function of the motor vehicle. [14] Computer program with program code to carry out a method for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications (A1, A2) for carrying out a virtual test (T) of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 12 when the computer program is executed on a computer. [15] Computer-readable data carrier with program code of a computer program for carrying out the method for configuring at least one of a plurality of applications (A1, A2) for carrying out a virtual test (T) of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 12 when the computer program is executed on a computer.

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