Testing system with test device, method for operating a testing system, computer program and electronically readable data carrier

Abstract

The invention relates to a test system (10) comprising a test device (12) for acquiring data (16) characterizing a vehicle function (14) of a motor vehicle and a storage device (18) for storing the acquired data (16), wherein a software agent (22) is receivable at an interface (20) of the test device (12) and is executable by means of an electronic computing device (24) of the test device (12), and the software agent (22) is configured to process the acquired data (16) on the test device (12), wherein a result (26) of the processing is available at the interface (20). The invention further relates to a method for operating a test system (10), a computer program, and an electronically readable data carrier.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a testing system comprising a testing device for acquiring data characterizing a vehicle function of a motor vehicle according to claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a testing system with a testing device according to claim 3. The invention also relates to a computer program and a corresponding electronically readable data carrier according to claims 8 and 9.

[0002] Test benches for vehicle functions, particularly vehicle electronics or software, deliver test results that often require subsequent analysis to provide evaluable results. Depending on the evaluation of these results, the corresponding functions or vehicle functions are then released. These analyses are currently performed on centralized analysis systems or servers.

[0003] DE 44 01 553 A1 discloses a test module for the technical monitoring of vehicles with a test mechanism comprising at least one actuator, with control electronics for the test mechanism, with sensors for recording measured values ​​and with evaluation electronics.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2009 033 806 A1 discloses a method for the production and testing of complex products, in particular motor vehicles, in series production, wherein all data for the individual production stations of the production line are stored in a central computer, wherein different models are produced on the production line and wherein at each station the corresponding parameterized data is read in at this production and testing station via model recognition, the production is checked by a technical test in conjunction with the production plant in such a way that the test object and also the operating equipment are monitored for their function.

[0005] Finally, DE 10 2014 118 320 A1 discloses a test device for a test stand of an ultrasonic sensor device of a motor vehicle, wherein the test device is designed for testing the ultrasonic sensor device and wherein the test device has a holding device for holding the ultrasonic sensor device during testing, at least one signal converter for applying a received signal to the ultrasonic sensor device and a computing device for controlling the at least one signal converter.

[0006] Furthermore, the publication DE 10 2022 204 298 A1 describes a method for the automated movement of a motor vehicle and the publication DE 10 2020 115 186 A1 describes a method and a system for processing vehicle test data of a vehicle.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a testing system, a method for operating the same, a computer program and a corresponding data carrier, by which the testing system can be operated particularly efficiently, for example by making network utilization particularly low.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments as well as advantages are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the drawing.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention relates to a test system comprising a test device for acquiring data characterizing a vehicle function of a motor vehicle and a storage device for storing the acquired data.

[0010] The test device is, in particular, a test bench, or more specifically, a test bench which, for example, has suitable sensors and / or interfaces for acquiring the data. The data is, in particular, measurement data. The storage device includes, for example, a data logger with a storage element, such as flash memory, which is suitable for storing and retaining the acquired measurement data, in particular non-volatilely. The vehicle function is, for example, vehicle electronics that provide certain functions of the vehicle, especially while driving. The vehicle electronics that provide the vehicle function can, for example, be a component of a driver assistance system, such as adaptive cruise control.

[0011] In order to make the testing system comprising the testing device particularly advantageous and especially efficient to operate, an interface of the testing device is provided according to the invention, via which or at which a software agent can be received, wherein this can be executed by means of an electronic computing device of the testing device and the software agent is designed to process the acquired data on or in the testing device, in particular to analyze it, wherein a result of the processing can be made available at the interface and / or a further interface of the testing device.

[0012] The interface is a communication interface, such as a modem or network card. The software agent is a computer program capable of a certain degree of independent and / or self-dynamic, particularly autonomous, behavior, allowing it to perform a specific processing operation depending on various states, such as the type of data, and to execute the processing operation independently, without requiring an external start signal or other control intervention. Data processing primarily involves analysis.A simple example is the application of statistical functions, allowing for the calculation of average values ​​from a large amount of data or measurement data, for example, for further processing. The result of this processing is, in particular, an analysis result that can describe, for example, the current state or functionality of a vehicle function and can be made available at the interface of the test device and / or another interface. Furthermore, the software agent receives the data depending on the data and / or the amount of data collected. For example, in automated data acquisition, a data acquisition device, such as a data logger, can generate a request signal for the software agent.In this way, the hardware essentially signals that it has, for example, a completed measurement result that requires further analysis.

[0013] Furthermore, the test system includes an analysis unit, and the analysis unit is designed to adapt the software agent to an environmental condition of the electronic computing unit of the test device.

[0014] The invention is based on the understanding that the volume of data, or the amount of data, increases over time when testing vehicle functions, for example, due to rising testing requirements and / or increasing accuracy of measurement methods. Analysis by analytical services on central analysis servers, according to the prior art, therefore faces the challenge of moving large amounts of data for processing. Particularly with test benches or data loggers connected to test vehicles, the provision of data can become increasingly complex due to its sheer volume, regardless of whether the data is copied via a network or, for example, via electronically readable data carriers such as USB sticks. This can place a significant burden on the network between the analysis server and the test device, leading to particularly inefficient operation.

[0015] Instead of sending the data to the central analysis service, the central analysis service sends software agents to the test device, specifically in the form of data logger hardware or measurement technology. In other words, a test system comprising a test device is shown, wherein the test device is configured to acquire a large number of measurement data. Furthermore, the test device includes a data logger for storing the acquired measurement data and an electronic computing device configured to access the stored measurement data. The computing device is further configured to receive a provided software agent via a data interface, use this agent to automatically analyze the stored data, and make the analysis results available via the data interface.

[0016] This offers the advantage, for example, of significantly reducing data traffic, such as via a network or by using dedicated storage media. Furthermore, the storage space required on the analysis service or an analysis unit that is separate from the test device can be kept to a minimum. Moreover, regardless of an increase in data volume, the network connecting the analysis service and the test device can be operated more efficiently and its load can be reduced, thus saving energy and / or storage resources.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an analysis device, through which the software agent can be provided and / or the processing result or the processing result can be received, is designed separately from the test device. In other words, an analysis device is provided which forms a central system or provides a central electronic computing device, for example in the form of the analysis server. The analysis device is designed separately from the test device, meaning that there is a spatial separation between the two. Thus, the analysis device can, for example, be located in a data center, whereas the test device can be located, for example, in a vehicle manufacturing plant and / or a workshop.It is specifically intended that data exchange between the analysis unit and the test device of the test system can take place via a network, for example, and especially via the internet. Furthermore, the fact that the analysis unit is capable of providing the software agent offers the advantage that the software agent can be optimized, for example, based on results available to the analysis unit. This results in the advantage of particularly efficient operation of the test system.

[0018] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a test system with a test device with which data characterizing a vehicle function of a motor vehicle, in particular measurement data, are recorded and stored in a storage device, in particular the test device.

[0019] In order to make the process particularly efficient, the invention provides that a software agent is received at an interface of the test device and executed by means of an electronic computing device of the test device, wherein the software agent, in particular at least part of the data or the acquired data, is processed on the test device and a result of the processing is provided at the interface.

[0020] Furthermore, the software agent is adapted by the analysis unit to the environmental conditions of the electronic computing unit of the test device. In other words, the analysis unit is designed to determine or recognize the hardware architecture of the electronic computing unit of the test device and / or a corresponding runtime or execution environment, and to adapt the software agent accordingly for the relevant hardware and / or software conditions of the electronic computing unit. For example, the analysis unit can recompile the software agent or its source code depending on the electronic computing unit of the test device in order to be executable on it.This offers the advantage that the software agent provided by the analysis facility can run on a wide variety of test devices.

[0021] Advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the first aspect of the invention, are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the need for data processing is determined, and the software agent is retrieved depending on this need. The determination of this need is carried out, in particular, by the electronic computing unit of the test device. The retrieval of the software agent is carried out, in particular, by the analysis unit. In other words, the electronic computing unit of the test device is configured to request the provision of the software agent from the central analysis system or the analysis unit, particularly automatically, when a need for analysis of measurement data has been identified. This results in the advantage that the method can be operated particularly efficiently.Furthermore, there is the advantage that the data can be processed particularly quickly, since the software agent can be called up when there is an immediate need and the relevant data does not first have to be sent to the analysis facility in a lengthy process.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the software agent is selected and / or adapted by the analysis unit depending on the identified requirements. In other words, the central analysis system is configured to provide a software agent tailored to the identified analysis requirements. For example, an algorithm intended for processing, and in particular analyzing, the data can be adapted depending on the amount of data, so that, for example, a calculation method can be adjusted.Furthermore, different software agents can be used depending on the type of data. For example, a different software agent is used to analyze data from a brake, which is a vehicle function, than for analyzing data from an imaging vehicle sensor, such as a camera, and / or a 3D point-capturing sensor, such as a LiDAR. This offers the advantage of particularly efficient operation. It also allows for more efficient and needs-based data processing and analysis. The test system's analysis unit can provide a suitable software agent based on a property such as the quantity and / or type of data.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a request signal for the software agent is generated during mobile data acquisition at or after a transition to stationary operation. Mobile data acquisition is understood here to mean that the testing device is, for example, mounted on or attached to the motor vehicle, and data acquisition takes place while the motor vehicle is moving, for example, on a roadway with the testing device. Stationary operation, on the other hand, is a state when the motor vehicle has finished its journey and is stationary, and, for example, the data acquisition that took place during the journey is also terminated, and the motor vehicle, together with the testing device or a corresponding mobile component of the testing device, is connected to a network, for example, in a workshop.In other words, a trigger for requesting the software is added to a data logger, especially one that accompanies a test vehicle, and this is activated, for example, by connecting the data logger to a stationary LAN. This offers the advantage of particularly energy-efficient operation, as, for example, no data needs to be transmitted wirelessly during a journey.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the software receives data wirelessly during mobile data acquisition. In other words, the agent can be transmitted "over the air." For example, a suitable radio module can be kept on hand so that the software agent can be received and made available for analysis and processing while the vehicle is driving and acquiring data. This allows data processing to begin, for instance, on the return trip to the workshop. This offers the advantage of particularly rapid results.

[0026] A third aspect of the invention relates to a computer program which can be directly loaded into a memory, for example in the electronic computing device, of the testing system, with programming means to execute the steps of the method according to the second aspect of the invention when the computer program is executed.

[0027] Advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the first and second aspects of the invention, are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the third aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0028] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to an electronically readable data carrier with electronically readable control information stored thereon, which comprises at least one computer program according to the third aspect of the invention and is designed such that, when the data carrier is used in a testing system, it performs a method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0029] Advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the first, second and third aspects of the invention, are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the fourth aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0030] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments of the invention are described by the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the figure.

[0031] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the procedure and are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, according to the procedure, an error message and / or a request for user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0032] The invention may also include a control device for the motor vehicle and / or the testing system. The control device, particularly in the form of an electronic computing unit, may comprise a data processing device or a processor unit (processor circuit) configured to perform an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor unit may comprise at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) may be used as the microprocessor.Furthermore, the processor device can include program code configured to execute the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The processor device can be based, for example, on at least one circuit board and / or on at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0033] As a further solution, the invention also includes a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or a computer network, causes it to execute an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data storage medium (e.g., as flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data storage medium (e.g., as RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be located within the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated, for example, as an app store server and / or cloud server on the internet. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code can be provided as binary code, assembly code, source code in a programming language (e.g., C), or a program script (e.g., Python). Alternatively, the computer-readable storage medium can be implemented as a signal containing computer-readable data, such as a time-varying voltage signal or a radio signal.

[0034] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0035] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 Schematic view of a test system comprising a test device for recording data characterizing a vehicle function of a motor vehicle.

[0036] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0037] Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a test system 10 comprising a test device 12 for recording data 16 characterizing a vehicle function 14 of a motor vehicle, with a storage device 18 for storing the recorded data 16.

[0038] In order to process the recorded data 16 particularly advantageously, especially to analyze it, it is provided that a software agent 22 can be received at an interface 20 of the test device 12 and that this agent can be executed by means of an electronic computing device 24 of the test device 12 and that the software agent 22 is furthermore designed to process the recorded data 16 on the test device 12, whereby a result 26 of the processing can be made available at the interface 20 and / or another interface.

[0039] The test system 10 can also include an analysis unit 28, which is designed as a central system and, in particular, as an electronic computing unit, and through which the software agent 22 can be provided. The result 26 can be received, in particular, at an interface 30 of the analysis unit 28. The analysis unit 28 is designed to be spatially separate from the test device 12, so that the exchange of the software agent 22 and the result 26 takes place, in particular, via a data network.

[0040] Furthermore, a method for operating the test system 10 will be presented, in which the data 16 characterizing the vehicle function of the motor vehicle 14 are recorded and stored in the storage device 18. The software agent is received and executed by the test device 12, whereby the data 16 are processed and the processed data 16 and / or the result 26 are made available at the interface 20.

[0041] The test device 12 can be, in particular, a test bench designed to record the condition or functionality of the vehicle function. The vehicle function can be, in particular, vehicle electronics and / or software. The test bench can thus record test results, i.e., in particular measurement data or measurement results based on the data 16. The data 16 are generally subjected to a subsequent analysis, which yields usable results or the result 26. A corresponding result 26 can serve to release the vehicle function.

[0042] Due to the large amount of data, or a particularly large data volume, that can typically occur, data exchange between test device 12 and analysis device 28 can be particularly complex. This data exchange could, for example, take place via the network or by exchanging data carriers.

[0043] The advantage of this method is that the test device 12, instead of the analysis unit 28, which is designed in particular as a central analysis server, takes over the evaluation or processing of the data 16, so that data exchange can be eliminated or is particularly minimal.

[0044] The data 16 are evaluated by the software agent 22 directly on the test device 12. In other words, the central service sends the software agent 22 to data logger hardware, or the measurement technology in the form of the test device 12. Analyses are then performed locally on this hardware, and only the analysis results, or results 26, can be sent to the analysis unit 28. The hardware, i.e., the test device 12, typically has a standard operating system, which may also be embedded. The analysis unit 28 is designed to prepare the software agent 22 so that it can run on the hardware of the test device 12. The hardware can signal that it has a completed measurement result, or completed measurement, in the form of data 16, which requires analysis or processing.

[0045] In summary, the test system 10 provides an analysis function with a software agent 22, which is provided by an analysis center, the analysis unit 28, and receives corresponding analysis results or the result, wherein the electronic computing unit 24 is designed to automatically request the provision of a software agent 22 from the central analysis unit 28 when a need for analysis of measurement data has been identified, whereby a software agent 22 tailored to the identified need can be provided.

[0046] Furthermore, a need for processing the data 16 can be determined, and depending on this need, the software agent 22 is retrieved. Also depending on this need, the software agent 22 can be trained and / or adapted by the analysis unit 28. In addition, the analysis unit 28 can adapt the software agent 22 to an environmental condition, such as the hardware and / or runtime environment of the electronic computing unit 24 or the test device 12.

[0047] In the case of mobile data acquisition, i.e., when the test device 12 is traveling with the vehicle 14, a request signal for the software agent 22 can be generated during or after a transition to stationary operation, for example, after connecting to a stationary LAN. Additionally or alternatively, the software agent 22 can be received wirelessly. In other words, if the test device 12, particularly if equipped with a data logger, is traveling in a vehicle 14, especially one configured as a test vehicle, connecting the data logger to a stationary network, such as a LAN, can, for example, send a request to receive the software agent 22. Additionally or furthermore, the software agent 22 can be transmitted wirelessly, for example, over the air.

[0048] The test system 10 shown here, the method, a corresponding computer program by which the method can be executed in particular by the test system 10, and a corresponding data carrier offer several advantages, such as a significant reduction in data traffic and / or the required storage space on the analysis device 28. In addition, it is possible to efficiently process an increased volume of data using suitable software agents 22.

[0049] Overall, this example shows how an analysis function can be provided using Software Agent 22.

Claims

[1] Test system (10) comprising a test device (12) for recording data (16) characterizing a vehicle function of a motor vehicle (14) and a storage device (18) for storing the data collected (16), where a software agent (22) can be received at an interface (20) of the test device (12) and can be executed by means of an electronic computing device (24) of the test device (12), and the software agent (22) is configured to process the acquired data (16) on the test device (12), wherein a result (26) of the processing can be made available at the interface (20), characterized by , that the testing system (10) includes an analysis facility (28) and the analysis device (28) is configured to adapt the software agent (22) to an environmental condition of the electronic computing device (24) of the test device (12). [2] Testing system (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the analysis device (28), through which the software agent (22) can be provided and / or the result (26) can be received, is designed separately from the test device (12). [3] Method for operating a test system (10) with a test device (12) with which data (16) characterizing a vehicle function of a motor vehicle (14) are acquired and stored in a storage device (18), wherein a software agent (22) is received at an interface (20) of the test device (12) and is executed by means of an electronic computing device (24) of the test device (12), wherein the acquired data (16) are processed on the test device (12) by the software agent (22) and a result (26) of the processing is sent to the interface (20) is provided, characterized by , that by means of an analysis device (28) the software agent (22) is adapted to an environmental condition of the electronic computing device (24) of the test device (12). [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by , that a need for the processing of the data (16) is determined and, depending on the determined need, the software agent (22) is called up. [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by , that depending on the identified need, the software agent (22) is selected and / or adapted by the analysis facility (28). [6] Method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by , that during mobile data acquisition (16) a request signal for the software agent (22) is generated at or after a transition to stationary operation. [7] Method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by , that in the case of mobile data acquisition (16) the software agent (22) is transmitted by radio. [8] Computer program which can be loaded directly into a memory of a test system (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising program means to execute the steps of a method according to one of claims 3 to 7 when the computer program is executed. [9] Electronically readable data carrier with electronically readable control information stored thereon, which includes at least one computer program according to claim 8 and is designed such that, when the data carrier is used in a test system (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, it performs a method according to one of claims 3 to 7.

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