Hardware-software environment comprising an electronic apparatus for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle
The hardware-software environment with efficient data acquisition and driving assistance addresses the limitations of existing data loggers by reducing computational demands and enhancing safety during vehicle road tests.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BREMBO NV
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing data loggers for vehicle road tests face limitations such as excessive computational resource demands, inflexibility, difficulty in customizing data acquisition, and safety risks due to driver distraction from monitoring multiple screens, requiring a co-driver for feedback and note-taking.
A hardware-software environment with an electronic apparatus that includes a software module for efficient data acquisition and processing, synchronized data interpolation, and a driving assistance module for real-time data display, reducing computational demands and enabling driver assistance.
The solution reduces data processing time, enhances system flexibility, improves safety by minimizing driver distraction, and automates report generation, eliminating the need for a co-driver.
Smart Images
Figure IB2025063165_02072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
DESCRIPTION"HARDWARE -SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENT COMPRISING AN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, ANALYZING AND DISPLAYING DATA DURING ROAD TESTS OF A VEHICLE"
[0001] . Field of the invention
[0002] . The present invention generally relates to the field of electronic systems for acquiring and storing data .
[0003] . In particular, the invention relates to a hardwaresoftware environment comprising an electronic apparatus for the acquisition, analysis and displaying, in particular in quasi realtime or in real-time, of data during road tests of a vehicle, and a related operating methodology.
[0004] . Prior art
[0005] . Small-sized electronic devices, configured to monitor and record data over time, commonly referred to as data logger or data recorder, are known and widely used to record data associated with electrical quantities, such as for example voltage and current, or data relating to temperature, speed, sound pressure, acceleration, pressure, force, torque or vehicle dynamics signals (e . g. 3D accelerations, 3D speed) subsequently correlated, through appropriate calibrations, to physical quantities detected by sensors operatively associated with said data logger.
[0006] . This category of apparatus includes, for example, plugin or serial communication boards or systems that use a personalcomputer (PC) as a real data recording source . Said known data logger, which includes both a hardware component and the PC connected thereto, is capable of reading various types of electrical signals and of storing the related data in an internal memory (harddisk of the PC) , so as to make said data usable subsequently, by exporting them through removable devices . The displaying and processing of the data occur in quasi real-time .
[0007] . Known types of data logger are characterized on the basis of the following parameters : type of input signals, number of inputs, size of storable data, processing speed, sampling frequency.
[0008] . In terms of input signals, some data logger are dedicated to a specific type of input signal, while others are programmable so as to be able to receive and process different types of input signals .
[0009] . With regard to the number of inputs, both single-channel input data logger and multi-channel data logger are known.
[0010] . Moreover, the size of the data to be stored and, consequently, the size of an internal memory of the data logger can be a critical factor, especially in those applications that require the use of small-sized or portable apparatus .
[0011] . In addition, compared to real-time data acquisition systems, data logger generally process information using sampling frequencies that vary according to the application, from a few Hz (<1 Hz) up to more than 100 kHz . The choice of such frequencies depends on hardware limits, or on the user' s choice to acquirefrequency ranges considered more interesting depending on the type of test to be carried out . This is due to the fact that said apparatus stores data in the aforementioned internal memory, of limited size . Therefore, once the sampling frequency at which the data logger operates and the detection duration are fixed, said parameters are generally used to determine the optimal size of the internal memory for a correct functioning of the apparatus .
[0012] . In the automotive field, during road tests of a vehicle, a generic known-type data logger provides for the acquisition of raw data representative of quantities related to vehicle dynamics, such as speed, roll, pitch, yaw, accelerations, or others related to components, such as those associated with the braking system, such as clamping forces of the calipers on the discs, the temperature of the brake pads or the pressure of the brake fluid, detected with sensors associated with the braking system of the vehicle and connected to the data logger.
[0013] . Subsequently, a pre-processing step is provided, carried out on said raw data for the purpose of synchronizing the data coming from different sources both in terms of acquisition board, which may operate at different acquisition frequencies from one another, and in terms of signal . Moreover, some data may be made accessible through a CAN (Controller Area Network) network and require an appropriate decoding and interpolation operation to make them available, on a time basis, in the same format as the others . Said pre-processing step allows the generation of compared data.
[0014] . Subsequently, an analysis is provided, carried out on said compared data to generate a report, which is subsequently stored in an internal memory of the data logger.
[0015] . Said operating methodology of known data logger, however, has some drawbacks .
[0016] . In fact, performing the pre-processing operation directly on said raw data could require excessive computational resources that are often incompatible with the processing speeds and storage capacities of data logger currently on the market .
[0017] . As far as known to the Applicant, there are currently no devices that make it possible to considerably reduce the data processing time and the time required for generating reports in standard format, and that allow data acquisition during road tests of a vehicle starting from signals different from traditional analog signals obtainable through a DAQ (Data Acquisition) hardware interface and / or a CAN (Controller Area Network) interface and / or any other interface using different protocols and, furthermore, that directly make the processing data available to a driver of the vehicle .
[0018] . Moreover, as far as known to the Applicant, the state-of-the-art solutions have several limitations and drawbacks listed below .
[0019] . The known solutions are not very flexible due to the fact that :the systems are developed for specific customers each of whomhas different testing needs;the data acquisition phase is often difficult and not very customizable;the development of new features and functionalities is difficult and not very efficient;the output files returned are in standard format without the possibility of customization or require a high effort in terms of computational resources and FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) by a Test Engineer .Moreover, the known solutions do not ensure adequate driving safety conditions, since the driver / co-driver is led to monitor quantities or parameters on a plurality of different screens, often placed in different positions in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, thus taking their eyes off the road.In addition, the known solutions require the presence of a codriver :to perform certain manoeuvres, for control and to provide feedback on the correctness of a manoeuvre carried out;to take notes, subj ective evaluations in digital or paper format .
[0020] . Solution
[0021] . An obj ect of the present invention is to devise and provide a hardware-software environment comprising an electronic apparatus for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle, in particular in quasi real-time or in real-time, which allows to overcome, at least partially, the limitations and drawbacks of known-type solutions .
[0022] . Said object is achieved by a hardware-software environment including an electronic apparatus for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle in accordance with claim 1.
[0023] . One of the advantages provided by the hardware-software environment associated with the electronic apparatus of the invention, as compared with known data logger, is that it provides an appropriate software module for the acquisition of input data signals which, operating on said signals, reduces the demand for computational resources, and therefore the time required to process the data, for the generation of reports .
[0024] . In particular, said acquisition software module is configured to :
[0025] . - acquire signals at the sampling frequencies required by the application;
[0026] . - acquire signals with sampling frequencies different from one another;
[0027] . - acquire signals simultaneously from different data sources, also of different nature and technologies;
[0028] . - synchronize the acquired data packets in temporal terms;
[0029] . - interpolate raw CAN data.
[0030] . Moreover, an advantage of the proposed solution is that of making available a hardware-software environment associated witha data logger usable during road tests of a vehicle which allows a displaying of the processing data through a driving assistance module for the driver of the vehicle . Said driving assistance module is configured to : make available, through loudspeaker, a voice description of the manoeuvres to be performed; check the correctness of the manoeuvres performed through checks on performance indicators or KPI (key performance indicator) ; detect, through a microphone, and record subjective evaluations and transcribe the same; modify the recorded subjective evaluations through a touch interface; exploit artificial intelligence (Al ) solutions (copilot) for advanced functionalities .
[0031] . Said driving assistance module for the driver of the vehicle addresses the main problem, in terms of safety, related to driver distraction, allowing the driver to concentrate more on the manoeuvres and driving because he is helped / assisted and, in addition, can do without the co-driver who records the evaluations and suggests the manoeuvres .
[0032] . Moreover, by automating operations during the acquisition and recording step of evaluations, said assistance module speeds up the manoeuvres considerably reducing the time required for system tuning and subsequent data processing and report generation.
[0033] . The proposed hardware-software environment integrates, in a single environment, various functionalities related to the management of obj ective and subjective data coming from road or track vehicle tests .
[0034] . With regard to obj ective data, coming from sensors installed on the vehicle, the management functionalities of such types of data comprise : Test setup, Acquisition, Pre-processing, Processing, Displaying, Report .
[0035] . With regard to subjective data, the management functionalities of such types of data comprise : Input through voice commands, Interpretation, Verification and Collection, Report .
[0036] . Moreover, the proposed solution also includes hardware devices and algorithms configured to assist a test driver through audio messages and a video touch-screen interface . The proposed solution allows to increase the usability of these systems to improve the efficiency of operations, as well as to improve the safety level both for the driver / tester of the vehicle and for the other occupants of the test vehicle .
[0037] . In addition, it is noted that the solution obj ect of the invention is flexible and can be applied to any vehicle .
[0038] . Al so forming the subject-matter of the present invention is a method for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data, in relation to the proposed solution from the software point of view, during road tests of a vehicle in accordance with claim 8, implemented by the above-mentioned electronic apparatus .
[0039] . Some advantageous embodiments are the subj ect of the dependent claims .
[0040] . Figures
[0041] . Further features and advantages of the hardware-softwareenvironment including the electronic apparatus for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle of the invention will appear from the description below of its preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the annexed figures in which:
[0042] . - Figure 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an integrated hardware-software environment including an electronic apparatus (data logger) for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle according to the present invention;
[0043] . - Figure 2 illustrates, with a flow diagram, an embodiment of an operating methodology implemented by the electronic apparatus of figure 1 .
[0044] . In said figures, identical or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals .
[0045] . Description of some preferred embodiments
[0046] . With reference to figure 1, reference numeral 1000 indicates as a whole a hardware-software environment comprising an electronic apparatus 100, also referred to as data logger, for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle, according to the present invention.
[0047] . In particular, said acquisition, analysis and displaying of data occur in quasi real-time or in real-time . Hereinafter, the term quasi real-time of data refers to data streaming with 200 ms delay, at most 500 ms delay, with a minimum update frequency (refresh) of 10 Hz .
[0048] . For the purposes of the present description, "vehicle" means any motor vehicle or motorcycle, including commercial vehicles, having two, three, four or more wheels . For example, vehicle means a car, a motorcycle, a light commercial vehicle or a heavy industrial vehicle .
[0049] . Hereinafter in the description, the electronic apparatus 100 for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data will also be referred to as electronic apparatus or, more simply, apparatus .
[0050] . Moreover, the hardware-software environment 1000 including said apparatus will also be referred to simply as environment or integrated environment or system.
[0051] . With reference to the embodiment of figure 1, from the hardware structure point of view, the electronic apparatus 100 comprises an electronic processing unit 20 and an input / output interface unit 10 connected to said electronic processing unit 20.
[0052] . In particular, said electronic processing unit 20 comprises at least one processor (Central Processing Unit or CPU) and a memory block associated with the processor for storing instructions and / or software modules . For example, said memory block is connected to the processor through a communication data line or bus (for example PCI) and is formed by a service memory, of volatile type (e . g. SDRAM) , and by a non-volatile system memory (e . g. SSD) .
[0053] . Said input / output interface unit 10 comprises a plurality of input data blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or input data acquisition blocks, each of which is configured to receive and process one or more inputdata signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 provided by respective sensors connectable to the electronic apparatus 100 and external to the apparatus itself .
[0054] . It is noted that each of the one or more input data signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 is representative of a physical or electrical quantity associated with the vehicle and detected by a respective sensor connectable to the electronic apparatus 100. For example, each of said input data signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 is representative of a quantity such as the clamping force of the calipers on the discs, the temperature of the brake pads or the pressure of the brake fluid, detected with a sensor associated with the braking system of the vehicle and connectable with the apparatus 100 .
[0055] . In one embodiment, the input / output interface unit 10 of the apparatus 100 comprises a first acquisition block of one or more first data signals SI from DAQ boards (DAQ FAST 1 ) , typically dedicated to accelerometers and microphones, at a first sampling frequency. The term block is used in this context to indicate the acquisition of a certain number of channels with the same sampling frequency.
[0056] . Moreover, the input / output interface unit 10 of the apparatus 100 comprises a second block, similar to said first block 1, for acquiring one or more second data signals S2 from DAQ boards (DAQ FAST 2 ) at a second sampling frequency, different from said first sampling frequency of the first block 1.
[0057] . Moreover, the input / output interface unit 10 of the apparatus 100 comprises a third acquisition block 3 of one or more third data signals S3 from DAQ boards (DAQ SLOW) , at a third sampling frequency. Typically, said third sampling frequency is lower than the aforementioned first and second sampling frequency of the first 1 and second 2 block, respectively.
[0058] . In addition, the interface unit 10 of the apparatus 100 comprises a fourth block 4 for receiving one or more fourth data signals S4 in accordance with the CAN (Controller Area Network) communication standard.
[0059] . Moreover, the interface unit 10 of the apparatus 100 comprises a fifth block 5 that can be adapted for receiving one or more fifth data signals S5, which may comprise additional data signals of different types .
[0060] . The data signals SI, S2, S3, S4 or S5 acquired by blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 comprise, for example, analog signals and signals in accordance with the CAN (Controller Area Network) communication standard. Moreover, the data signals SI, S2, S3, S4 or S5 acquired by blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 include NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) signals representative of the measurement of the comfort level of a vehicle, since such signals are the result of the combination of three parameters, respectively: the noise level inside the vehicle during driving (noise) ; the vibrations perceived by the driver (vibration) ; the roughness of the vehicle' s ride during sudden motion transitions, such as potholes in the ground (harshness) .
[0061] . Moreover, the data signals SI, S2, S3, S4 or S5 acquired by blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 comprise signals acquired via FlexRay communication protocol, used in the automotive field, and / or other protocols over LAN (Local Area Network) .
[0062] . It is noted that each of the input blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 is adapted to make the respective data signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 available to the electronic processing unit 20.
[0063] . Moreover, the input / output interface unit 10 of the apparatus 100 comprises one or more user interfaces 6, 7, 8.
[0064] . In one embodiment, said one or more user interfaces 6, 7, 8 comprise a first user interface 6, operating as output interface of the electronic apparatus 100. Said first user interface 6, operating as output interface, comprises one or more loudspeakers . In addition, said first user interface 6 also comprises a microphone operating as input interface .
[0065] . In a further embodiment, said one or more user interfaces 6, 7, 8 comprise a second user interface 7, operating as output interface of the apparatus 100. Said second user interface 7 is implemented, for example, in a head-up display or HUD or more simply in a monitor . It is noted that, in one embodiment, the first 6 and the second 7 user interface may be included in a single obj ect or may be located in positions more convenient for the driver, i . e . in points that cause the least possible distraction for the driver .
[0066] . Said HUD is usually positioned in front of the driver to display simple information necessary for the execution of a vehiclemanoeuvre (e . g. brake pressure, speed, pad temperature, time to next braking) and to reduce the risk of accidents while driving, since the use of said specific HUD implies less distraction for the driver.
[0067] . In a further embodiment, said one or more user interfaces 6, 7, 8 comprise a third user interface 8, operating as input / output interface of the apparatus 100. Said third user interface 8 is implemented as a touchpad or a display associated for example with a tablet or a smartphone connected to the electronic apparatus, which allows a user driving the vehicle to display the results of the data processing carried out by the processing unit 20 of the apparatus and to interact directly with said processing unit . In a further embodiment, said third user interface 8 may be included in the HUD of the second interface 7 or may form a single obj ect together with the aforementioned first 6 and second 7 user interface . In a further embodiment, one or more of the user interfaces 6, 7, 8 of the electronic apparatus 100 comprise a further third user interface consisting of a touch display operating as input / output interface which includes the first 6 and the second 7 user interface to modify subj ective evaluations .
[0068] . In a preferred embodiment, the electronic processing unit 20 of the electronic apparatus 100 is configured to store, in the memory block, and execute, by the processor, a plurality of software modules, each of which performs a specific role to ensure the operation of the electronic apparatus 100 and the correct processing and storage of data .
[0069] . In more detail, the electronic processing unit 20 comprises an acquisition software module 9 of the input data signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 made available by the input data blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 described above .
[0070] . In particular, said acquisition software module 9 (Acquisition) represents the software module of the environment 1000 of the invention which allows to manage all data sources in a single environment and allows to reduce the subsequent operations of merging (merge) , processing, signal processing from different data sources aimed at the final report generation, otherwise necessary with known solutions, and operates as a buffer module of 100 ms . It is noted that said acquisition software module 9 is configured to : - acquire the signals at the sampling frequencies required by the application;support the possibility of acquiring signals with different sampling frequencies;acquire simultaneously from different data sources, even of different nature and technologies;- synchronize, in temporal terms, the DAQ and CAN acquired data packets .
[0071] . Moreover, the electronic processing unit 20 comprises further software modules adapted to perform a pre-processing on the data signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 in real-time (real-time) or in quasi real-time .
[0072] . In more detail, the processing unit 20 comprises aninterpolation module 9a (CAN data interpolation) of the data obtained from the fourth block 4 of CAN type .
[0073] . The processing carried out by said interpolation module involves a delay of about 200 ms .
[0074] . Moreover, the processing unit 20 comprises a first software module 11 configured to process the data signals received on each block to perform, for example :- a filtering on the signals based on post-processing specifications ;- a scaling of the signals, for example from a voltage (V) to an engineering unit;- a sign switch based on post-processing specifications (postprocessing) ;- calculated channels;- virtual sensors .Said filtering is performed using, for example : a low-pass filter, a band-stop filter, a high-pass filter or a band-rej ect filter. The filtering is configured to clean the signal from noise or, in general, from undesired disturbance components .Moreover, by scaling it is meant that the voltage signals are processed by applying a gain and offset factor, or more generally a calibration, not necessarily linear, but for example also piecewise, to transform said signals into engineering quantities such as pressures, temperatures and the like .For example, an acquired signal that may assume values from 0 to 10V is transformed by module 11 into a pressure signal from 0 to 50 bar .
[0075] . The processing performed by the first software module 11 also provides for the activation of a second software module 15 (squeals detection) for the detection and recognition of events (e . g. squeals) included in the processing unit 20.
[0076] . Moreover, the processing unit 20 comprises a third software module 12 (data packages union) configured to perform the merging of data packets (merging) and a fourth software module 13 for the recognition of events (braking recognition) , for example vehicle braking.
[0077] . The processing performed by said braking recognition module 13 involves a delay of about 200 ms .
[0078] . It is noted that the software modules 9a, 11, 12 and 13 perform a pre-processing step of the input data signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 for the re-sampling and structuring of said acquired data signals into standard formats, so as to allow their subsequent analysis in an automatic manner. Said pre-processing step of the input data signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 allows the generation of respective structured data signals Sla, S2a, S3a, S4a, S5a.
[0079] . With reference to a subsequent processing step, the electronic processing unit 20 comprises a processing software module 14, 16 configured to process said structured data signals Sla, S2a, S3a, S4a, S5a to analyse said structured data signals and to perform statistical calculations .
[0080] . In particular, the processing software module 14, 16 comprises a fifth software module 14 (calculated channels and statistics) configured to perform a quasi real-time processing (e . g. on pre-processed data at the end of an event, braking or squeal) , with particular reference to the calculation of statistics on a specific event, and an analysis module 16 (Judder analysis / others analysis) configured to perform analyses that are particularly demanding in terms of computational resources .
[0081] . The electronic processing unit 20 also comprises a storage software module 21 ( file saving) configured to store the processing results (standard output) in a memory of the electronic apparatus 100 .
[0082] . In addition, the electronic processing unit 20 comprises a temporary memory 17 (Quasi Real Time Table) for collecting and cataloguing the data obtained from the processing performed on the acquired data signals by the one or more pre-processing software modules 9a, 11, 12, 13, 15 and on the structured data signals Sla, S2a, S3a, S4a, S5a by the processing software module 14, 16, for the purpose of displaying such data. Said data are saved in the temporary memory 17 with a refresh rate from 10 to 20 Hz .
[0083] . It is noted that in the present invention the term realtime displaying refers to simple quantities, for example the monitoring of brake pad temperatures . Instead, the term quasi realtime refers to the monitoring of complex quantities, which require, for example, an analysis step 16 as mentioned above . The displayingof such quantities provides for the display on a device (monitor, HUD, touch-panel, tablet, smartphone) and through a Web application.
[0084] . Moreover, the electronic processing unit 20 comprises a respective data displaying software module 18 (visualization) adapted to receive the data collected from the temporary collection and cataloguing memory 17 to make them available through at least one of the output user interfaces 6, 7, 8 of the electronic apparatus 100, for example the third user interface device 8, touchpad, or also through the HUD / monitor viewer.
[0085] . Examples of visualized data are : number of brakings performed, time between one braking and the next, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, speed, pad temperature .
[0086] . Moreover, the electronic processing unit 20 advantageously comprises a driver assistance software module 19 (Driver Assistance) adapted to exchange data with said temporary collection and cataloguing memory 17 (quasi real-time table) .
[0087] . Said driver assistance software module 19 is configured to receive, as input, driving data DG stored in a driving procedure database DBDG of the electronic apparatus 100 and to make said driving data DG available through at least one of the output user interfaces 6, 7, 8 of the electronic apparatus 100.
[0088] . For example, said driving data DG are made available through the first 6 and / or the second 7 output user interface device, namely the loudspeakers and / or the HUD / monitor viewer.
[0089] . In other words, the driver assistance software module 19receives as input data from the driving procedure database DBDG and provides the driver with a voice description, through the loudspeakers 6, of how a manoeuvre should be performed, feedback on the correctness of the manoeuvres performed through the checking of specific indicators KPI (key performance indicator) , a voice transcription of the driver' s subjective evaluations, recorded via the microphone of the first user interface 6, or a textual description of the manoeuvre to be performed, through the HUD / monitor viewer 7. In a further embodiment, the driver assistance software module 19 is configured to receive, as input, subjective evaluations recorded via a microphone associated with one of the user interfaces of the electronic apparatus 100, in particular the first user interface 6, operating as input interface .
[0090] . With reference to figure 2, an example of embodiment of an operating methodology 200 is described below for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle, implemented by the hardware-software environment 1000 of the invention comprising the electronic apparatus 100.
[0091] . The method 200 comprises an acquisition step 201 (Acquisition) , by an acquisition software module 9 of the electronic apparatus 100, of a plurality of input data signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 through a plurality of input data blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of the electronic apparatus 100, wherein each of said signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 comprises one or more data signals . Each of said input data signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5 is representative of physical orelectrical quantities associated with the vehicle detected by respective sensors connectable to the electronic apparatus 100.
[0092] . The method 200 further comprises a step of pre-processing 202 (Pre-Processing) said acquired input data signals SI, S2, S3, S4, S5, through one or more pre-processing software modules 9a, 11, 12, 13, 15 of the electronic apparatus 100.
[0093] . At the output of the brake recognition block (Brake Recognition) 13 of the one or more pre-processing software modules 9a, 11, 12, 13, 15, the method 200 further comprises a step of generating 203 respective structured data signals Sla, S2a, S3a, S4a, S5a, that is, the acquired and pre-processed data signals .
[0094] . In addition, the method 200 comprises a step of processing 204 (Analysis) said structured data signals Sla, S2a, S3a, S4a, S5a, by a processing software module 14, 16 of the electronic apparatus 100, to perform an analysis of said structured data signals and to carry out statistical calculations .
[0095] . The method 200 further includes a step of automatically generating 205 a report 206 (report STD) of the results of said processing performed by the one or more pre-processing software modules 9a, 11, 12, 13, 15 and by the processing software module 14, 16.
[0096] . In addition, a step of storing 207 (Storage) the processing results 205 in a memory of the electronic apparatus 100 is provided, by a storage software module 21 of the electronic apparatus and / or the transfer of the stored data to an appropriateCloud storage account .
[0097] . The method 200 includes the display 208, by a data displaying software module 18 of the electronic apparatus 100, of the data collected in a temporary memory 17 for collection and cataloguing, through at least one of the output user interfaces 6, 7, 8 of the electronic apparatus 100.
[0098] . In one embodiment, said displaying step 208 of the method 200 further comprises the steps of :
[0099] . - receiving as input 208 ' , by a driver assistance software module 19 of the electronic apparatus 100, driving data DG stored in a driving procedure database DBDG of the electronic apparatus 100;
[0100] . - making available 208 ' ' said driving data DG through at least one of the output user interfaces 6, 7, 8 of the electronic apparatus 100.
[0101] . The hardware-software environment 1000 comprising the electronic apparatus 100 for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle of the invention offers numerous advantages and achieves the intended objectives .
[0102] . In particular, the environment 1000 of the invention features a modular architecture and allows, over time, the integration of new processing libraries and new devices for acquiring data signals . Moreover, it allows the adaptation of the layout so as to meet different needs simply by integrating, expanding, reducing or replacing blocks with others that are moreinnovative or less expensive .
[0103] . The processing software implemented in the hardwaresoftware environment ensures greater efficiency in the development of new functionalities or in the modification of those already implemented .
[0104] . Moreover, the environment 1000 of the invention makes available a customized displaying functionality for the user driving the vehicle, on which the user can focus during the road tests of the vehicle itself .
[0105] . In addition, the environment 1000 of the invention simplifies the setup and configuration step of acquisition parameters .
[0106] . Furthermore, during the test steps, thanks to the availability of a driving assistant for performing manoeuvres, the proposed solution provides feedback on the correctness of the manoeuvres performed and makes available a register of subjective evaluations in digital format .
[0107] . The proposed solution provides a virtual co-driver assistance functionality in performing the vehicle manoeuvres, reducing risks during road tests . Therefore, in general terms, with the hardware-software environment of the invention, the user experience of the driver is improved compared to known solutions .
[0108] . The features of the hardware-software environment of the invention therefore contribute to reducing the time to report and, in general, the reduction of FTE in the generation of standardreporting (STD) , since the environment is designed to generate a standard output simultaneously with the test (quasi-real time) . The operations currently carried out manually for reporting and data processing are performed automatically, significantly reducing the time required.
[0109] . Moreover, the hardware-software environment of the invention reduces driving risks . In fact, thanks to the availability of the driver assistance for the driver, it is not necessary to view essential parameters for performing the manoeuvre on different video sources . Furthermore, the recording via voice transcription of the subjective evaluations allows the driver to perform the manoeuvres safely without sources of distraction, also complying with the various regulations / guidelines of the proving grounds where the tests take place .
[0110] . In addition, thanks to the availability of the driver assistance for the driver, the presence of the co-driver becomes optional, who in such case may optionally be connected remotely to the instrumentation, thereby significantly reducing the costs associated with his presence or travel .
[0111] . The hardware-software environment of the invention advantageously also provides for the automation of the postprocessing step of the data, with corresponding reduction in the time required for the reporting step 206 : estimated to range from a maximum of 180 h / year to a minimum of 90 h / year.
[0112] . The hardware-software environment of the invention alsoprovides for:
[0113] . - an integration with applications ( for example DataLogger) , smartphones, or cloud for vehicle mission analysis;
[0114] . an integration with applications ( for example GoogleMaps) for driving assistance during the execution of manoeuvres also in test environments on public roads (urban, extra-urban, motorways) ;
[0115] . - a driving assistance related to the vehicle mission (in cloud) .
[0116] . To the embodiments of the hardware-software environment comprising the electronic apparatus for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle, as described above, a person skilled in the art, to meet contingent needs, may make modifications, adaptations and replacements of elements with others functionally equivalent, without departing from the scope of the following claims . Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other embodiments described.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A hardware-software environment (1000) for acquiring, analyzing, and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle, comprising an electronic apparatus ( 100) comprising:- an electronic processing unit (20) ;- an input / output interface unit ( 10) connected to said electronic processing unit (20) ,said input / output interface unit (10) comprising:- a plurality of input data blocks ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) each of which is configured to receive and process one or more input data signals (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) representative of physical or electrical quantities associated with the vehicle, detected by respective sensors connectable to the electronic apparatus (100) , each of said input data blocks ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) being configured to provide the electronic processing unit (20) with the respective one or more input data signals (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) ;- one or more user interfaces ( 6, 7, 8 ) of the electronic apparatus ( 100) ;said electronic processing unit (20) comprising:- an acquisition software module (9) for acquiring said one or more input data signals (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) provided by the input data blocks ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) ;- one or more pre-processing software modules ( 9a, 11, 12, 13, 15) for pre-processing the aforesaid one or more input datasignals (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) configured to perform a re-sampling and structuring of said acquired data signals into standard formats and generate respective structured data signals (Sla, S2a, S3a, S4a, S5a) ;- a processing software module (14, 16) configured to process said structured data signals (Sla, S2a, S3a, S4a, S5a) to analyze said structured data signals and perform statistical calculations ;- a storage software module (21 ) configured to store the results of said processing in a memory of the electronic apparatus (100) ; - a temporary memory (17 ) for collecting and cataloging the data obtained from the processing operations performed on said acquired data signals by said one or more pre-processing software modules ( 9a, 11, 12, 13, 15) and on said structured data signals (Sla, S2a, S3a, S4a, S5a) by the processing software module (14, 16) ; - a data displaying software module (18) adapted to receive the data collected from the temporary collection and cataloging memory ( 17 ) to provide them through at least one of the user interfaces ( 6, 7, 8 ) of the electronic apparatus (100) .
2. A hardware-software environment (1000) according to claim 1, wherein said electronic processing unit (20) further comprises a driving assistance software module (19) adapted to exchange data with said temporary memory ( 17) for collecting and cataloging data, said driving assistance software module (19) being furtherconfigured to receive as input driving data (DG) stored in a driving procedure database (DBDG) of the electronic apparatus ( 100) and provide said driving data (DG) through at least one of the user interfaces ( 6, 7, 8 ) of the electronic apparatus (100) .
3. A hardware-software environment (1000) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said one or more pre-processing software modules (9a, 11, 12, 13, 15) for pre-processing the aforesaid input data signals (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) comprise :an interpolation module ( 9a) for a data signal of the CAN, Controller Area Network, type;a first software module (11) configured to process said one or more data signals (SI, S2, S3, S4, S4, S5) received from each block ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) to perform:a filtering on the signals based on post-processing specifications ;a scaling of the signals;a sign switching based on post-processing specifications; a second software module (15) for detecting and recognizing events, activatable by the first software module (11 ) ;a third software module (12) configured to merge data packets and a fourth software module (13) for recognizing events .
4. A hardware-software environment (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said input / output interface unit ( 10) comprises :- a first (1 ) and a second (2) block for receiving one or more first (SI ) data signals and one or more second (S2) data signals, respectively, at a first and a second frequency;- a third (3) block for receiving one or more third data signals (53) at a third frequency, lower than the aforesaid first and second frequency;- a fourth block (4) for receiving one or more fourth data signals (54 ) in accordance with the CAN, Controller Area Network, standard; - a fifth block (5) adaptable for receiving additional data signals (55) .
5. A hardware-software environment (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more of said user interfaces ( 6, 7, 8 ) of the electronic apparatus (100) comprise a first user interface ( 6) comprising one or more loudspeakers, to operate as an output interface, and a microphone operating as an input interface .
6. A hardware-software environment (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more of said user interfaces ( 6, 7, 8 ) of the electronic apparatus (100) comprise a second user interface (7) , operating as an output interface, consisting of a head-up display (HUD) or a monitor.7 . A hardware-software environment (1000) according to atleast one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more of said user interfaces ( 6, 7, 8) of the electronic apparatus ( 100) comprise a third user interface (8) , operating as an input / output interface, consisting of a touchpad.
8. A method (200) for acquiring, analyzing, and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle, implemented by a hardwaresoftware environment (1000) comprising an electronic apparatus ( 100) according to claim 1, said method (200) comprising the steps of :acquiring (201) , by an acquisition software module (9) of the electronic apparatus (100) , a plurality of input data signals (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) through a plurality of input data blocks ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the electronic apparatus (100) , each of said input data signals (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) being representative of physical or electrical quantities associated with the vehicle, detected by respective sensors connectable to the electronic apparatus (100) ;pre-processing (202 ) said acquired input data signals (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) , through one or more pre-processing software modules (9a, 11, 12, 13, 15) of the electronic apparatus (100) ;generating (203) , as output from an event recognition module ( 13) of said one or more pre-processing software modules ( 9a, 11, 12, 13, 15) , respective structured data signals (Sla, S2a, S3a, S4a, S5a) based on a pre-processing of the acquired data signals (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) ;processing (204) said structured data signals (Sla, S2a, S3a, S4a, S5a) , by a processing software module (14, 16) of the electronic apparatus (100) , to perform an analysis of said structured data signals and perform statistical calculations; automatically generating (205) a report (206) of the results of said processing operations performed by said one or more preprocessing software modules ( 9a, 11, 12, 13, 15) and by the processing software module (14, 16) ;storing (207 ) the results of said processing (206) in a memory of the electronic apparatus (100) and / or transferring said stored data to an appropriate Cloud storage account, by a storage software module (21 ) of the electronic apparatus;displaying (208 ) , by a data displaying software module ( 18 ) of the electronic apparatus (100) , the data collected in a temporary collection and cataloging memory (17) , through at least one of the user interfaces ( 6, 7, 8 ) of the electronic apparatus ( 100) .
9. A method (200) for acquiring, analyzing, and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said step of displaying (208) further comprises the steps of :receiving as input (208 ' ) , by a driving assistance software module (19) of the electronic apparatus ( 100) , driving data (DG) stored in a driving procedure database (DBDG) of the electronic apparatus ( 100) ;providing (208 ' ' ) said driving data (DG) through at least one of the user interfaces ( 6, 7, 8 ) of the electronic apparatus ( 100) .
10. A method (200) for acquiring, analyzing, and displaying data during road tests of a vehicle according to any one of claims 8-9, wherein said steps are performed in real time or near real time .
11. A hardware-software environment ( 1000) according to claim 2, wherein said driving assistance software module (19) is further configured to receive as input subj ective evaluations recorded by means of a microphone associated with one of said user interfaces ( 6) of the electronic apparatus ( 100) , operating as an input interface .
12. A hardware-software environment (1000) according to at least one of claims 1-7 and 11, wherein the one or more of said user interfaces ( 6, 7, 8 ) of the electronic apparatus (100) comprise a further third user interface consisting of a touch display operating as an input / output interface which includes the first ( 6) and second (7 ) user interfaces to modify subj ective evaluations .