Method for operating communication between vehicles

Abstract

In a procedure for operating communication between vehicles, information is exchanged between a first vehicle and a second vehicle by means of signal transmission.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating communication between vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a system, a vehicle, a towing vehicle-trailer combination, a computer program and a computer-readable medium according to the independent claims. State of the art

[0002] In modern road traffic, communication between vehicles, communication between vehicles and their environment and communication or data exchange within vehicle systems are of great importance, for example to ensure and improve road safety.

[0003] Today, such communication typically takes place via radio or wired connections. However, such solutions are not always ideal in terms of reliability, complexity, and resilience, for example, because vehicles are subjected to severe stress in road traffic and during continuous use. General description of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to eliminate or at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0005] The problem is solved by a method for operating communication between vehicles, wherein information is exchanged between a first vehicle and a second vehicle by means of signal transmission. The term “operating communication” is to be understood in such a way that it can include both communication itself, in particular an exchange of data between vehicles, but it can also include preparation for the actual communication, for example by testing communication paths, means and devices prior to a data exchange, or monitoring the communication, for example with the help of periodic quality control processes. The term “vehicles” should be understood in such a way that it includes both powered vehicles such as cars or trucks and also non-powered vehicles such as trailers.

[0006] In advantageous embodiments, the signal transmission comprises optical signal transmission. In typical embodiments, at least part of a transmission path between the vehicles is overcome by means of optical signal transmission. In advantageous embodiments, the signal transmission is optical signal transmission. Alternatively or in combination, the signal transmission can also be wired and / or copper-based. Possible advantages of optical signal transmission include the fact that such optical signal transmission is potentially subject to less wear during operation than plug-in connections, particularly, for example, in signal transmission between a towing vehicle and a trailer.

[0007] In typical embodiments, the first vehicle is a towing vehicle and the second vehicle is a trailer. In typical embodiments, the towing vehicle is a semi-trailer truck and the trailer is a semi-trailer. In typical embodiments, the first vehicle is a truck and the second vehicle is a trailer. In other embodiments, the first vehicle and the second vehicle are each a car and a trailer, or a car and a camper trailer, or a tractor and a trailer. However, it is not absolutely necessary for the first vehicle to be a towing vehicle and the second vehicle to be a trailer. Alternatively, it is also possible, for example, for both the first vehicle and the second vehicle to be a shuttle, i.e. in particular an autonomously driving vehicle for transporting people. In advantageous embodiments, information is exchanged between a plurality of vehicles by means of signal transmission within the scope of the method.Such a plurality of vehicles may, for example, be a combination of a towing vehicle and several trailers or even a plurality of shuttles.

[0008] In advantageous embodiments, the method comprises a wake-up test, during which a communication channel used for signal transmission is checked for functionality before the vehicle begins its journey. The wake-up test is typically initiated automatically. In advantageous embodiments, the wake-up test comprises a wake-up stability test step, during which it is checked whether the communication channel enables stable signal transmission. In particular, the wake-up stability test step can check whether a communication value lies above a certain minimum value. The communication value is, for example, an optical light output or a current consumption. In advantageous embodiments, the wake-up stability test step comprises a wake-up test sub-step, during which it is checked whether the communication value lies above the minimum value.For this purpose, for example, a light signal with a specific optical light power or a current of a specific magnitude is sent from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, for example from a towing vehicle to a trailer. If the second vehicle determines that the communication value, for example the received optical light power or the received current, is above the minimum value, then the second vehicle sends back the information that the communication channel is OK in a wake-up report sub-step. If, however, the communication value is not above the minimum value, then the second vehicle reports back to the first vehicle in the wake-up report sub-step that there is a problem with the communication channel.In advantageous embodiments, such a problem with the communication channel is only reported from the second vehicle to the first vehicle after a plurality of wake-up test sub-steps have previously been performed, the result of each of which was a communication value below the minimum value, which is referred to as a negative measurement. In typical embodiments, the wake-up report sub-step only reports that the communication channel is not OK when three, five, or seven negative measurements have been received. In advantageous embodiments, the wake-up test comprises an enabling step, during which, following a wake-up report sub-step with the result that the communication channel is OK, an enabling command is sent from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, during which software functions of the second vehicle are enabled.In typical embodiments, the activation step is followed by a reporting step in which the second vehicle reports to the first vehicle that the communication channel is OK and that the software functions of the second vehicle have been activated.

[0009] In typical embodiments, the wake-up test is followed by a data exchange between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, wherein, within the scope of this data exchange, data is exchanged between the first vehicle and the second vehicle by means of signal transmission via the communication channel.

[0010] In advantageous embodiments, the method comprises a continuous test process, during which a communication channel used for signal transmission is tested for its functionality while the vehicles are traveling. In typical embodiments, the continuous test process comprises a continuous stability test step with a continuous test sub-step and a continuous reporting sub-step. The continuous stability test step typically corresponds to the wake-up stability test step. The continuous test sub-step typically corresponds to the wake-up test sub-step. The continuous reporting sub-step typically corresponds to the wake-up reporting sub-step.In other words, in the continuous test sub-step, an optical light power or a current of a certain magnitude is typically sent from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, and the second vehicle checks whether the optical light power or the current received by the second vehicle, which represent the communication value, is above a certain minimum value. Subsequently, in a continuous reporting sub-step, the second vehicle reports to the first vehicle whether the received communication value was above a minimum value or not. Everything further explained with regard to the wake-up test and in particular the wake-up stability test step also applies analogously to the continuous stability test step.In contrast to the wake-up test, which is typically only performed before the vehicles start driving, the continuous test process is typically performed continuously and / or automatically while the vehicles are driving, for example in a continuous loop or periodically, for example every 30 seconds, every 60 seconds, every 90 seconds or approximately every two, three or four minutes.

[0011] In advantageous embodiments, optical measurements are performed within the method, preferably automatically and / or continuously, to test the functionality of a communication channel used for signal transmission. In particular, in typical embodiments, the optical measurements determine whether fiber ends of an optical system for optical signal transmission between vehicles still have acceptable quality. In particular, TDR and / or OTDR measurements are performed within the optical measurements. The optical measurements are performed, in particular, within the wake-up test and / or the continuous test process.

[0012] In typical embodiments, the method involves communication between the first vehicle and / or the second vehicle and / or other vehicles, on the one hand, and a cloud, on the other. In typical embodiments, the method involves V2X communication between at least one of the vehicles and at least one other technical system.

[0013] The object is further achieved by a system comprising means for at least partially carrying out a method according to at least one of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0014] In advantageous embodiments, the system is suitable for at least partially carrying out and / or coordinating and / or controlling a method according to at least one of the aforementioned embodiments. For this purpose, the system advantageously comprises suitable components, for example a coordination component suitable for coordinating the method, and / or a signal generation component which is particularly suitable for generating an optical signal for signal transmission, and / or a signal reception component which is particularly suitable for receiving the optical signal, and / or a signal evaluation component which is particularly suitable for evaluating the optical signal. In typical embodiments, the system comprises a wake-up test component which is suitable for at least partially implementing the wake-up test as described above.In typical embodiments, the system comprises a continuous testing component suitable for at least partially implementing the continuous testing process described above. In advantageous embodiments, the system comprises a measuring component suitable for performing the optical measurements described above.

[0015] In advantageous embodiments, the system comprises one or more control components and / or one or more control devices suitable for controlling the method. In advantageous embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of zones, wherein the system is typically designed such that at least some of the zones can communicate with one another by means of optical signal transmission. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, for each of the zones to comprise at least one signal receiving component and / or a signal generating component and / or a signal evaluating component. In typical embodiments, the system comprises a device for transmitting an optical signal, for example an optical fiber, for example a fiber optic cable or a polymer fiber cable.

[0016] Advantageously, at least some of the aforementioned components are implemented in the system using computer program code. In advantageous embodiments, the system, in particular at least some of the aforementioned components, is at least partially part of a vehicle control system and / or a cloud. In typical embodiments, the system comprises a digital control unit and / or a display and / or means for data input and / or means for data output.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, a vehicle is suitable for participating in a method according to at least one of the exemplary embodiments described above. For example, such a vehicle is suitable for functioning as a towing vehicle or as a trailer within the scope of the method. In advantageous embodiments, the vehicle is suitable for functioning as a shuttle when carrying out a method according to the invention. In typical embodiments, the vehicle has, for example, an optical transmitting device and / or an optical receiving device and / or at least parts of the system described above, in particular depending on whether the vehicle is to function as a towing vehicle, as a trailer, or as a shuttle.In typical embodiments, the vehicle comprises a computing unit for coordinating the method described above and / or an optical test device, for example, a test device capable of performing TDR or OTDR measurements. The term "TDR" stands for "time domain reflectometry." The term "OTDR" stands for "optical time domain reflectometry." In typical embodiments, the vehicle comprises a system as described above, at least in part.

[0018] The object is further achieved by a towing vehicle-trailer combination suitable for carrying out a method according to one of the embodiments described above, wherein the towing vehicle-trailer combination preferably comprises a system according to the invention as described above and / or two vehicles as described above, namely in particular a first vehicle, which is a towing vehicle, and a second vehicle, which is a trailer. In advantageous embodiments, the first vehicle and / or the second vehicle comprise / comprise a plurality of zones, which are suitable for carrying out a method according to one of the embodiments described above, among themselves and / or jointly.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, a computer program comprises instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform one of the aforementioned methods. The computer program can also be referred to as a computer program product.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, a computer-readable medium comprises computer program code for implementing one of the aforementioned methods. The term "computer-readable medium" refers in particular, but not exclusively, to hard drives and / or servers and / or memory sticks and / or flash memories and / or DVDs and / or Blu-rays and / or CDs. In addition, the term "computer-readable medium" also refers to a data stream, such as that generated when a computer program and / or a computer program product is downloaded from the Internet. Short description of the drawings

[0021] In the following, the invention is briefly explained with reference to drawings, in which: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a method according to the invention in a possible embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a towing vehicle-trailer combination in a possible embodiment of the invention. Description of preferred embodiments

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a method according to the invention in a possible embodiment of the invention. In particular, Fig. 1 shows a towing vehicle 1 and a trailer 2. A method according to the invention is carried out with the participation of the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2. This method according to the invention comprises a wake-up test 4 and a continuous test process 5, both of which are shown as dashed boxes. The towing vehicle 1 and trailer 2 together form a towing vehicle-trailer combination. Before the start of a journey of this towing vehicle-trailer combination, which comprises the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2, the wake-up test 4 is started as part of the method. With the help of the wake-up test 4, it is checked whether a communication channel (in Fig. 1 not explicitly shown) between the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2 is functioning sufficiently well and is ready for operation. In particular, the wake-up test 4 checks whether a communication channel for transmitting an optical signal between the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2 is functional. For this purpose, the wake-up test 4 comprises a wake-up stability test step, which includes a wake-up test sub-step S1 and a wake-up report sub-step S2. As part of the wake-up test sub-step S1, an optical signal is sent from the towing vehicle 1 to the trailer 2. The optical signal received by the trailer 2 (which, for example, does not necessarily have to correspond to the optical signal sent by the towing vehicle 1 in terms of its strength) is referred to as the communication value. This communication value is compared with a minimum value.If the communication value is above the minimum value, then in the wake-up report sub-step S2, the towing vehicle is informed that the communication channel is OK. If the communication value is below the minimum value, then in the wake-up report sub-step S2, the towing vehicle is informed that the communication channel is not OK. Typically, in such cases, the method then prevents the towing vehicle-trailer combination from setting off. If the functionality of the communication channel was reported in the wake-up report sub-step S2, then in an activation step S3, software functions in trailer 2 are activated. Subsequently, in a report step S4, the towing vehicle 1 is informed that the communication channel is OK and that the software functions of trailer 2 have been activated.Once the wake-up test 4 is complete, a data exchange S5 can take place between the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2. This data exchange S5 typically takes place via optical signal transmission, i.e., information is exchanged between the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2 using an optical signal transmission. It should be noted that the signal transmission does not necessarily have to be optical. Rather, the method can, in principle, also be implemented using a different form of signal transmission, for example, a copper-based connection. The method described in . Fig. The method shown in Figure 1 further comprises a continuous test process 5. This continuous test process 5 comprises a continuous stability test step, which includes the continuous test sub-step S6 and the continuous reporting sub-step S7. The continuous test process typically runs continuously while vehicles 1, 2 are traveling. In the continuous test sub-step S6, an optical signal is sent from the towing vehicle 1 to the trailer 2. The optical signal received by the trailer 2 forms a communication value, which in turn is compared with the minimum value. If the communication value is above the minimum value, then the continuous reporting sub-step S7 reports back that the communication channel between the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2 is OK, i.e., functional.If the communication value is below the minimum value, trailer 2 reports back to towing vehicle 1 that the communication channel between towing vehicle 1 and vehicle 2 is faulty. In . Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the continuous testing process 5 additionally comprises a continuous data exchange S8, within the framework of which further data is continuously exchanged between the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2, in particular via the communication channel and in particular using an optical signal. Fig. 1 further shows a cloud 3. Both the trailer 2 and the towing vehicle 1 are capable of sending data to the cloud 3 and receiving data from the cloud 3. This makes it possible, for example, for information and statuses to be sent to the cloud 3 via the communication channel between the trailer 2 and the towing vehicle 1 and / or information and statuses of the towing vehicle 1 and / or the trailer 2 itself. This information can be forwarded from the cloud 3 to other locations and / or infrastructure elements and / or other road users. In addition, it is possible for certain sub-steps of the method to be performed in the cloud 3, for example, calculations and / or coordination within the framework of the continuous test process 5 and / or within the framework of the wake-up test 4.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a towing vehicle-trailer combination in a possible embodiment of the invention. In particular, Fig.2 shows a towing vehicle-trailer combination comprising a towing vehicle 1 and a trailer 2. The towing vehicle-trailer combination additionally comprises an optical fiber 8, which forms a communication channel between the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2. The towing vehicle 1 comprises a towing vehicle control unit 6. The trailer 2 comprises a trailer control unit 7. The towing vehicle control unit 6, the trailer control unit 7, and the optical fiber 8 are parts of a system according to the invention. This system is suitable for implementing a method according to the invention for operating a communication between the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2. Within the scope of such a method, for example, the towing vehicle control unit 6 can generate an optical signal, which is transmitted to the trailer control unit 7, specifically via the optical fiber 8. In this way, an optical signal transmission 9 between the towing vehicle 1 and the trailer 2 is enabled.

[0024] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. The scope of protection is defined by the patent claims.

[0025] In principle, all methods described in the description or in the claims can be carried out by devices which comprise means for carrying out the respective method steps of these methods. Reference symbol 1 towing vehicle 2 trailers 3 Cloud 4 Wake-up test 5 Continuous testing process 6 Towing vehicle control unit 7 Trailer control unit 8 optical fibers, also known as communication channels 9 optical signal S1 Wake-up test part step S2 Wake-up report substep S3 activation step S4 report step S5 data exchange S6 Continuous test part step S7 Duration report substep S8 Continuous data exchange

Claims

[1] Method for operating communication between vehicles, characterized by that, within the scope of the method, information is exchanged between a first vehicle and a second vehicle by means of signal transmission. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the signal transmission includes optical signal transmission. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first vehicle is a towing vehicle (1) and that the second vehicle is a trailer (2). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the method comprises a wake-up test (4) in the context of which a communication channel (8) used for signal transmission is checked for its functionality before the vehicles (1, 2) start their journey. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the method comprises a continuous testing process (5) in the context of which a communication channel (8) used for signal transmission is tested for its functionality while the vehicles (1, 2) are traveling. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that optical measurements are carried out within the scope of the method, preferably automatically and / or continuously, in order to check the functionality of a communication channel (8) used for signal transmission. [7] System comprising means for at least partially carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6. [8] Vehicle (1, 2) suitable for participating in a method according to one of claims 1 to 6 and / or comprising a system according to claim 7. [9] Towing vehicle-trailer combination, characterized bythat the towing vehicle-trailer combination is suitable for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the towing vehicle-trailer combination preferably comprises a system according to claim 7 and / or two vehicles according to claim 8, namely a first vehicle which is a towing vehicle (1) and a second vehicle which is a trailer (2). [10] A computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [11] Computer-readable medium, characterized by that the computer-readable medium comprises computer program code for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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