Method and device for managing services implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to the management of services implemented by on-board computers in a vehicle. The method determines (21) a first computer which receives an event on at least one of the services for which information is stored in a service list that it maintains; the first computer emits (22) a first signal carrying the information related to said at least one service; and the service list maintained by at least one computer is updated (23) based on a second signal carrying the information related to said at least one service. Figure 2 for the abstract

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for managing services implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for managing services implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Vehicles, for example of the automobile type, include computers which ensure the implementation of services such as, for example, driving assistance, entertainment or other services.

[0003] These services require the implementation of functions performed by computers which require knowledge of information relating to these services such as information on the computers providing these services.

[0004] During the vehicle design phase, the information required for the implementation of these services is matched with the computers. The same service may require the cooperation of several computers. We speak of functional allocation to designate a mapping between the information required for the implementation of services and the computers.

[0005] It is known that this functional allocation is carried out statically, that is to say that all the computers know which computers are suppliers of the services embedded in the vehicle. Such a functional allocation is dependent on the functional architecture of the computers which is determined for a set of declared services. A functional architecture of the computers is a set of hierarchical links between computers.

[0006] [Fig.l] illustrates an example of a functional architecture of computers on board a vehicle according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention.

[0007] This functional architecture includes 4 computers referenced 10-13 and computers 102-104, 132-134.

[0008] The computers 102-104 are connected with the computer 10 and the computer 13 is connected to the computers 132-134.

[0009] The computers 102-104, respectively 132-134, are connected to the computer 10, respectively 13, by a first wired communication network. For example, the first wired communication network may be of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate) type, or CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate) type. flexible data rate controllers”), or FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458).

[0010] The computers 10-13 are connected by a second wired communication network, for example of the Ethernet type (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0011] According to the example of [Fig.l], two sub-networks SR0 and SRI are created. The sub-network SR0 comprises the computers 11-13 and the sub-network SRI comprises the computers 10 and 11. Hierarchical links are created between the computers of each sub-network. According to [Fig.l], the computer 12 is a computer that allows communications between the sub-network SR0 and an external communication network. The computer 11 acts as a gateway between the sub-networks SR0 and SRI, that is to say that it relays the signals transmitted / broadcast by a computer of one of these sub-networks to one or more computers of another sub-network.

[0012] Each computer 10-13 (all those connected via the second communication network) includes a list of SMM services (in English “Service Mapping Management”), which it keeps up to date.

[0013] The list of services maintained by a computer includes information relating to all the local services provided by this computer and information relating to all the services declared by the computers to which it is connected by the first communication network.

[0014] Each computer 102-104 connected to the computer 10, respectively 13, via the first communication network, declares a service to the computer 10, respectively 13, to which it is connected.

[0015] For example, the computer 102 declares a service 105 to the computer 10 which stores the information relating to this service 105 in the list of services 101 which it maintains. The list of services maintained by the computer 12 stores the information relating to a local service 132, that is to say implemented by this computer 12. The computer 133, respectively 134, declares a service 135, respectively 136, to the computer 13 which stores the information relating to these services 135 and 136 in the list of services 131 which it maintains.

[0016] A stored service list may be presented in memory in the form of a table comprising information relating to each service. For example, this information may be a service identifier (105, 132, 135, 136), a destination address indicating the destination address of the computer providing the corresponding service.

[0017] For example, information relating to a service may also be an IP address (Internet Protocol in English, Internet Protocol in French) which designates a computer providing the service in the second communication network. This The designated computer can implement this service or can communicate with the computer that implements the service via the second communication network. A table can also store a port number for a service and, optionally, a gateway address (in this case the address of the computer 11) if the computer providing the corresponding service is not in the same subnet as the computer that maintains the list of services.

[0018] For example, the computer 10 which provides the service 105 stores in its list of services an IP address 192.168.1.1 (indicating that it is part of the SRI subnetwork), a port number 8105. If the list of services of a computer of the SR0 subnetwork stores the information relating to the service 105 then the address of the computer 11 will be stored, for example 192.168.0.1. Thus a computer in the SR0 subnet that wishes to access service 105 will access the address 192.168.0.1 of computer 11 and will be redirected to the address 192.168.1.1:8105 via the address 192.168.1.1 of computer 11. We then speak of the relay or gateway function of computer 11.

[0019] As soon as a new service is declared, whether local or declared by a computer 102-104 or 132-134, or a service must be deleted, the functional allocation must be modified statically.

[0020] Static functional allocation is tedious and sometimes complicated to implement, particularly when the architecture of computers changes, which limits the development of services (addition or deletion) on different types of vehicle which can use various platforms to update this functional allocation. Summary of the present invention

[0021] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a solution for updating a functional allocation automatically as soon as a new service is declared or deleted.

[0023] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for managing services implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle, said computers being connected to each other through a communication network, each computer comprising a list of services intended to store at least one piece of information in relation to a service. The method determines a first computer as being one of said computers of which an event occurs on at least one of the services of which the information is stored in the list of services that it maintains; the first computer then emits a first signal carrying information in relation to said at least one service; and the list of services maintained by at least one computer at least one calculator is updated based on a second signal carrying information relating to said at least one service.

[0024] The method allows a dynamic update of a functional and real-time allocation to discover services declared by computers of a vehicle because it allows a mapping of these services to be quickly obtained, that is to say all of the services implemented by the on-board computers of the vehicle.

[0025] The method also allows the rapid propagation of any modification of a functional allocation (addition / deletion of a service) and ensures that the service lists maintained by the computers are all up to date.

[0026] The present invention is particularly advantageous for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), who must provide equipment for a wide variety of functional architectures for different vehicle brands. Indeed, the present invention can update the service lists maintained by computers regardless of the functional architecture, which facilitates, in particular, the implementation of developments in automated driving services or multimedia services, for example. The present invention thus makes it possible to reduce software variants that might prove necessary to deploy services on a specific software platform and therefore to reduce the financial cost for implementing options related to these services.

[0027] The present invention also allows a function of a service declared by a computer to be transferred to another computer without having to update all the computers (and / or proxies) manually.

[0028] The present invention is particularly advantageous in the case of a remote update of the services implemented by the computers of a vehicle because it avoids the implementation of an update campaign for these computers (and / or proxies) by automatically updating the lists of services maintained by these computers as soon as a modification of one of the lists of services maintained by these computers is modified.

[0029] According to a first embodiment, the event is a modification of information relating to said at least one service; the first signal is broadcast to all the computers connected to the communication network; and the list of services maintained by each computer connected to the communication network is updated according to the information relating to said at least one service carried by the second signal.

[0030] This first example of implementation is advantageous because it allows rapid propagation of any modification of the mapping of the services declared in a functional architecture of computers. On the other hand, it can consume bandwidth bandwidth on the communication network due to the broadcasting of signals and the complexity of the functional architecture of the computers.

[0031] According to a second exemplary embodiment, the event is a request for information relating to said at least one service; the first signal is broadcast to all the computers connected to the communication network; and the updating of the list of services maintained by at least one computer as a function of a second signal carrying the information relating to said at least one service comprises: - determining a second computer as being a computer whose information relating to said at least one service is stored in the list of services maintained by said computer; - broadcasting, by the second computer, to all the computers connected by the communication network, of a second signal carrying information relating to said at least one service; and - the list of services maintained by each computer connected to the communication network is updated (233) based on the information relating to said at least one service carried by the second signal.

[0032] This second embodiment is advantageous because it limits the number of signals broadcast by targeting the broadcast of a modification of a service or a limited number of services. The bandwidth required for this broadcast is controlled by the number of modified services.

[0033] According to a third exemplary embodiment, the event is a request for information relating to said at least one service; the first signal is broadcast to all the computers connected to the communication network; and the updating of the list of services maintained by at least one computer as a function of a second signal carrying the information relating to said at least one service comprises: - determining a second computer as being a computer whose information relating to said at least one service is stored in the list of services maintained by said computer; - transmission, by the second computer, to the first computer, of a second signal carrying information relating to said at least one service; and - the list of services maintained by the first computer is updated according to the information relating to said at least one service carried by the second signal.

[0034] This third embodiment is advantageous because the number of services updated and the number of computers concerned are two parameters which make it possible to control the bandwidth for updating services in a functional architecture of computers. This embodiment can limit to a minimum the bandwidth required for updating a service. However, the propagation of the updating a service to all the computers of a functional architecture requires the transmission of signals carrying a service update request.

[0035] According to a variant, the information requested in relation to said at least one service by the first computer is stored in the list of services that it maintains.

[0036] This variant is advantageous because it allows propagation of information from a first service stored in a list of services maintained by a computer even if a request signal concerning a second service whose information is stored in this list of services is requested. Indeed, the response signal emitted by this computer can then comprise both the information relating to the first signal and the information relating to the second signal. The computer initiating the request can then update the list of services that it maintains by storing the information relating to these two services.

[0037] According to a variant, the computers being connected to form two sub-networks, the first and second signals emitted or broadcast by a computer of a first sub-network are relayed to be emitted or broadcast in a second sub-network by a computer acting as a gateway between the two sub-networks.

[0038] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a service management device implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of at least one step of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0039] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0040] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0041] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0042] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0043] On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a means storage media, such as ROM, CD-ROM, or microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or magnetic recording media or hard disk.

[0044] Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0045] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question. Brief description of the figures

[0046] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 9, in which:

[0047] [Fig-1] illustrates an example of a functional architecture of on-board computers in a vehicle according to an example;

[0048] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a service management method implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an example of implementation of the method of [Fig.2] through the declaration of 4 new services in the functional architecture of [Fig.l];

[0050] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates an example of implementation of the method of [Fig.2] through the declaration of 4 new services in the functional architecture of [Fig.l];

[0051] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates an example of implementation of the method of [Fig.2] through the declaration of 4 new services in the functional architecture of [Fig.l];

[0052] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates an example of implementation of the method of [Fig.2] through the declaration of 4 new services in the functional architecture of [Fig.l];

[0053] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates an example of updating services according to a second example of realization of the method of [Fig.2];

[0054] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates an example of updating services according to a second example of realization of the method of [Fig.2];

[0055] [Fig.9] schematically illustrates a device configured for the management of services implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Description of the examples of embodiment

[0057] A method and a device for managing services implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 9. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0058] According to the present invention, a method allows the discovery and updating of services deployed in a functional architecture of computers.

[0059] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a service management method implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] The method of [Fig.2] allows the addition or deletion of services in the functional architecture of [Fig.l]. The examples given in Figures 3-9 correspond to the addition of at least one new service. It is obvious that the steps of the method of [Fig.2] can also be used to delete at least one service from the functional architecture of [Fig.l].

[0061] The method is described with reference to the functional architecture of computers on board a vehicle in [Fig.l]. However, the method is in no way restricted to this functional architecture, nor to the number of computers, nor to the number of sub-networks, nor to the hierarchical links between the computers connected by the second communication network.

[0062] In a first step 21, a first calculator is determined. This first calculator corresponds to a calculator connected to the second communication network in which an event occurs on at least one of the services whose information is stored in the list of services that it maintains.

[0063] In a second step 22, the first computer emits a first signal carrying information relating to said at least one service.

[0064] In a third step 23, the list of services maintained by at least one computer is updated as a function of a second signal carrying information relating to said at least one service.

[0065] According to a first particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the method of [Fig. 2], the event is a modification of information in relation to said at least one service (step 21). The first signal is broadcast (step 22) to all the computers connected to the second communication network. The list of services maintained by each computer connected to the second communication network is update (step 23) based on the information relating to said at least one service carried by the first signal (which is equal to the second signal of step 23 according to this exemplary embodiment).

[0066] [Fig.3] illustrates this first example of carrying out the method of [Fig.2] in through the declaration of 4 new services in the functional architecture of [Fig.l].

[0067] Let us take the example where the computer 10 is considered to be the first computer because the list of services 101 is modified by the declaration of the service 105 by the computer 102 (step 21). The computer 10 then broadcasts a first signal carrying information relating to the service 105 to the computer 11 which is part of the same sub-network SRI (step 22). This first signal is relayed by the computer 11 for all the computers of the sub-network SR0, in this case for the computers 12 and 13.

[0068] The computers 11, respectively 12 and 13 update their list of services 111, respectively 121 and 131 ([Fig.4]).

[0069] The computer 12 is then considered to be the first computer because its list of services 121 is modified. The computer 12 then broadcasts a first signal carrying information relating to the services 132 and 105 to the computers 11 and 13 which are part of the same subnetwork SR0. This first signal is relayed by the computer 11 to all the computers of the subnetwork SRI, in this case to the computer 10.

[0070] The computers 10, 11 and 13 update their service lists 101, 111 and 131 ([Fig.5]). The computer 13 is then considered to be the first computer because its service list 131 is modified. The computer 13 then broadcasts a first signal carrying information relating to the services 135, 136, 105 and 132 to the computers 11 and 12 which are part of the same sub-network SR0. This first signal is relayed by the computer 11 to all the computers of the sub-network SRI, in this case to the computer 10.

[0071] The computers 10, 11 and 12 update their service lists 101, 111 and 121 ([Fig.6]).

[0072] According to a second particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the method of [Fig. 2], the event is a request for information relating to said at least one service (step 21). The first signal is broadcast to all the computers connected to the second communication network (step 22). The updating of the list of services maintained by at least one computer as a function of a second signal carrying the information relating to said at least one service (step 23) comprises a sub-step 231 of determining a second computer as being a computer whose information relating to said at least one service is stored in the list of services maintained by said computer; a sub-step transmission 232, by the second computer, to the first computer of a second signal carrying information relating to said at least one service; and the list of services maintained by the first computer is updated according to the information relating to said at least one service carried by the second signal (step 233).

[0073] [Fig.7] illustrates this example of carrying out the method of [Fig.2] through a request from calculator 12 for information in relation to service 136.

[0074] The computer 12 is the first computer within the meaning of the method of [Fig. 2]. A first signal carrying the request for information in relation to the service 136 is broadcast to the computers 13 and 11 which are part of the same subnetwork SR0. This first signal is relayed by the computer 11 to all the computers of the subnetwork SRI, in this case to the computer 10. The computer 13 is determined as being the second computer within the meaning of the method of [Fig. 2] (step 231). The computer 13 broadcasts a second signal carrying the information relating to the service 136 to the computers 12 and 11. This second signal is relayed by the computer 11 to all the computers in the SRI subnetwork, in this case to the computer 10. The service lists of the computers 10, 11 and 12 are then updated (step 233) as illustrated in [Fig.8].

[0075] According to a third particular and non-limiting embodiment of the method of [Fig.l], the event is a request for information relating to said at least one service (step 21). The first signal is broadcast to all the computers connected to the second communication network (step 22). The updating of the list of services maintained by at least one computer as a function of a second signal carrying the information relating to said at least one service (step 23) comprises sub-step 231, a sub-step 234 of transmission, by the second computer, to the first computer of a second signal carrying the information relating to said at least one service; and a sub-step 235 of updating the list of services maintained by the first computer as a function of the information relating to said at least one service carried by the second signal.

[0076] According to a variant of the second and third particular and non-limiting embodiments of the method of [Fig.2], the information requested in relation to said at least one service by the first computer is stored in the list of services that it maintains.

[0077] [Fig.9] schematically illustrates a device configured for management of services implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] The device 3 is configured for implementing the steps of the method described with regard to [Fig.2].

[0079] Examples of such a device 3 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as a vehicle on-board computer, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a computer. The elements of the device 3, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 3 may be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0080] The device 3 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 30 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 3. The processor 30 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 3 further comprises at least one memory 31 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0081] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 31.

[0082] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 3 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0083] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 3 comprises a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices such as remote servers.

[0084] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 comprises a communication interface 33 which makes it possible to establish communication with on-board computers of the vehicle via a communication channel 330. The communication interface 33 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 330. The communication interface 33 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN type (from the English “Controller Area Network” or in French “Réseau de contrôles”), CAN FD (from the English “Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate” or in French “Réseau de contrôles à débit de données flexible”), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3).

[0085] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 3 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 340, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 350 and / or other peripherals 360 via output interfaces 34, 35 and 36 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 3.

[0086] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for managing services implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for the implementation of such a method.

[0087] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 3 of [Fig.2].

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing services implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle, said computers being connected to each other through a communication network, each computer comprising a list of services intended to store at least one piece of information in relation to a service, said method comprising the following steps: - determination (21) of a first computer as being one of said computers of which an event occurs on at least one of the services of which the information is stored in the list of services which it maintains; - transmission (22) by the first computer of a first signal carrying information in relation to said at least one service;and - updating (23) the list of services maintained by at least one computer as a function of a second signal carrying information relating to said at least one service, characterized in that either: - the event (21) is a modification of information relating to said at least one service; - the first signal is broadcast (22) to all the computers connected to the communication network; and - the list of services maintained by each computer connected to the communication network is updated (23) as a function of the information relating to said at least one service carried by the first signal; or: - the event (21) is a request for information relating to said at least one service; - the first signal is broadcast (22) to all the computers connected to the communication network;- updating (23) the list of services maintained by at least one computer as a function of a second signal carrying information relating to said at least one service comprises: - determining (231) a second computer as being a computer whose information relating to said at least one service is stored in the list of services maintained by said computer; - broadcasting (232), by the second computer, to all the computers connected by the communication network, of a second signal carrying information relating to said at least one service; and - the list of services maintained by each computer connected to the communication network is updated (233) as a function of the information relating to said at least one service carried by the second signal.either: - the event (21) is a request for information relating to said at least one service; the first signal is broadcast (22) to all the computers connected to the communication network; and the updating (23) of the list of services maintained by at least one computer as a function of a second signal carrying the information relating to said at least one service comprises: - determination (231) of a second computer as being a computer whose information relating to said at least one service is stored in the list of services maintained by said computer; - transmission (234), by the second computer, to the first computer of a second signal carrying the information relating to said at least one service; and - the list of services maintained by the first computer is updated (235) as a function of the information relating to said at least one service carried by the second signal.

2. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the computers being connected to form two subnetworks, the first and second signals transmitted or broadcast by a computer of a first subnetwork are relayed to be transmitted or broadcast in a second subnetwork by a computer acting as a gateway between the two subnetworks.

3. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

4. A computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program comprising instructions is recorded 15 for carrying out the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 2.

5. Service management device implemented by on-board computers of a vehicle, said device comprising a memory associated with at least one processor configured for the implementation of at least one step of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

6. Vehicle (10) carrying a device (2) according to claim 5.

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